chased leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on
slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
led, flashed tail and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, close up over 1f out, not quicken
held up, never near leaders
held up, lost touch over 3f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway on outside well over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace
held up, never near leaders
prominent, ridden and intimidated by rival horses tail just over 1f out, soon not much room, no extra
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
Samuel Charles,African Gift and Stoic Leader are three against the field in this competitive handicap and the narrow vote is given to Samuel Charles. The selection won well last time out when beating Molem and although having a penalty for that win he still looks ahead of the handicapper and under similar conditions he is taken to win again. African Gift rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Taranaki but consistency is not his strong point and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Stoic Leader is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks weighted up to his best. Optimus showed little on his first run for two years last time out but he should strip fitter here and should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Vienna's Boy is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but he is hard to win with and with this in mind for the winner we return to Samuel Charles.
Samuel Charles 7-2 (9-5) In touch, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Molem (9-7) by 5l, 12 ran.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, not much room and switched right inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Aperitif (8-5) at Catterick 7f hcap (4) gf in May.
White Bear (FR) 5-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Ma'am (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Vienna's Boy (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Very slowly away, in rear, ridden and headway to chase leaders over 2f out, edged right and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Top Mark (9-7) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Treasure House (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Raced stand's side, chased leaders, ridden halfway, hung left and one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 13, 11l behind Joy And Pain (8-9) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
African Gift 7-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden to lead just over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Taranaki (9-5) by 1l, 11 ran.
Mistral Sky 9-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 13th of 16, 13l behind Top Mark (9-7) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Optimus (USA) 7-2 (9-10) Started slowly, towards rear, some progress over 1f out, never nearer, 10th of 16, 8l behind Starlight Gazer (8-11) at Windsor 6f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in May.
