in rear, behind over 4f out, some progress over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
keen and held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace from over 1f out
with leader after 1f until ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, driven and stayed on towards
tracked leaders, headway to tracked leader 3f out, pressed leader over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, asserted near finish
led, ridden 3f out, pressed over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
Eye Of Eternity won last time and is penalised here for that recent victory whilst Saviour Sand has won here over this trip before but our vote goes to ROCKY'S PRIDE ahead of Before The War who runs for the first time in a handicap. The pick solidly won last time by five lengths at Leicester and although slightly higher in the weights as a result and running off top weight in this contest, if displaying that sort of performance again he can knockout the competition. Eye Of Eternity won nicely enough in a handicap when favoured by the weights last time, but will find this occasion more difficult and we oppose her bid for back-to-back successes. Before The War could be poised to strike in this handicap after some disappointing efforts in maidens and stepped up in trip this may be ideal so should be strongly considered. Saviour Sand has every chance on the pick of his form and is also respected. However we choose to go with the Willie Musson option here, Rocky's Pride.
Rocky's Pride (IRE) 5-2 (8-9) Made all, clear over 3f out, unchallenged, won at Leicester 1m 2f clm stks (5) gf in May beating Saltagioo (9-3) by 5l, 11 ran.
Saviour Sand (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, switched sharply left and headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 3l behind King's Icon (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Before The War (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 9, 8l behind Veni Vedi Veci (8-12) at Leicester 1m 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in May.
Power Of Dreams (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) Tracked leaders, pushed 3f out, one pace, 4th of 7, 5l behind Saint Thomas (8-13) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Abu Wathab 50-1 (9-3) Tracked leader after 1f until 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 18l behind Kensei (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Seattle Speight (USA) 25-1 (9-1) Close up, disputing 3rd entering straight, ridden and weakened 2f out, no impression when ridden and flashed tail final furlong, 5th of 15, 9l behind Goldtrek (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
Eye Of Eternity 25-1 (8-3) Traced leader, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, eased near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 1f hcp 0-55 (6) gf in Jun beating James Pollard (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Laconicos (IRE) 22-1 (10-7) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, headway 10f out, soon prominent, every chance 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 11l behind City Stable (10-5) at Warwick 1m 5f am hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.
