prominent, chased winner after 2f until over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, always in rear
led early, prominent, ridden 5f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, when 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, headway 5f out, chased winner over 3f out, no impression final 2f, lost 2nd inside final furlong
held up, headway on outside over 1f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, switched right well over 1f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon struggling
winner, soon led, driven clear from 2f out, eased towards finish
pulled hard, in touch ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Warsaw Pact gets the confident vote here with Birthday Star and Heathyards Pride rating the main dangers. The selection is a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver and won with plenty in hand last time out when beating Rayhani, granted he has a penalty but he still looks ahead of the handicapper and he is taken to win again. Birthday Star rates the main danger on his latest second behind Wild Pitch but he is exposed compared to the selection and is passed over for that reason. Heathyards Pride is another that could go well on his latest fourth behind Establishment but the drop in trip has to be of concern. Of the remainder Secretary General is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to Warsaw Pact who gets the confident vote.
Secretary General (IRE) 11-2 (9-11) Held up in touch, ridden and hung left from 2f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Magic Sting (9-5) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Heathyards Pride 14-1 (9-9) Held up, hampered on bend after 7f, stayed on final 2f, 4th of 12, 8l behind Establishment (8-12) at Kempton 2m hcap (4) pol in Apr.
Shaunas Vision (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Taxman (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Bowled Out (GER) 16-1 (9-5) Held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden to chase winner, no impression over 1f out, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Warsaw Pact (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Birthday Star (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Prominent when hampered after 1f, chased leader 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Wild Pitch (9-9) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Plenty Cried Wolf 50-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Warsaw Pact (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Warsaw Pact (IRE) Evensfav (8-6) Tracked leader, led 4f out, driven 4 lengths clear 1f out, tiring towards finish, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Rayhani (8-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Russian Dream (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance when edged left inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Bedouin Blue (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
