chased leaders, raced stand side, weakened 2f out
towards rear stand side, weakened over 2f out
led, raced stand side, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders and raced far side, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, raced stand side, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders far side, one pace
chased leaders far side, kept on final furlong
chased leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, just failed
towards rear stand side, weakened over 1f out
in rear, raced stand side, headway over 1f out, soon led, all out
With many of these effectively ruled out of the contest on account of the ground, we will side with Gunfighter to come home in front, with Passion Fruit another lively candidate and Riquewihr capable of going well at longer odds. The selection went well on good to soft when runner up at Carlisle last time out and prior to that he had the speed to win over 6f. This is his first try over 7f but with the soft ground making stamina a key asset he looks good enough to get his nose in front. Passion Fruit is proven with cut in the ground and has run very well in defeat on her last two starts. She has won on soft so the ground holds no fears and she looks a big danger. Shot To Fame has the form to make a race of this but he clearly wants faster ground to be seen to best effect, so is passed over, while Riquewihr will relish conditions but is just not in good enough form at present and probably needs a drop of a few more pounds before coming in for serious consideration, so we take Gunfighter to blow them away.
Red Romeo 16-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Game Lad (8-12) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Passion Fruit 13-2 (10-0) Slowly into stride and behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Inaminute (9-7) at Carlisle 7f fll hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Shot To Fame (USA) 3-1jt-fav (9-9) Led, clear over 1f out, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Wigwam Willie (9-11) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jun.
Gunfighter (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) In touch, every chance over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Webbow (9-7) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (5) gs in Jun.
Viva Volta 5-1 (10-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 7l behind Skyelady (9-5) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Dispol Isle (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace when hung right over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Inaminute (9-7) at Carlisle 7f fll hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Neon Blue 12-1 (8-7) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 12l behind Il Castagno (9-2) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Sake (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 8l behind Skyelady (9-5) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Sedge (USA) 9-1 (9-8) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on to lead entering final furlong, forged clear final 100 yards, won at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol beating Green Pirate (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Riquewihr 7-1 (9-6) Chased leaders far side, effort over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 12, 15l behind Prospect Court (9-4) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy.