always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, beaten over 1f out
with leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed well over 2f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon outpaced, led again well over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out
chased leaders early, weakened 3f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
Held Captive hammered a rival rated 82 last time and may have got in lightly here, so she gets the vote ahead of Novikov, Mutajarred and Darfour. The Ed Dunlop-trained selection progressed from a satisfactory debut when beating Murbek by six lengths at Newmarket last time and there looked to be plenty more to come. That was on the slow side of good, and granted she has to prove she goes on this slower surface, but her jockey felt she would definitely get further and that stamina can be of benefit here. Novikov looks the main danger. The Danehill Dancer colt was a Newmarket winner on good to soft last time and this looks his trip. He has more to come but may have to wait a little longer for his next success. Mutajarred is another meriting serious consideration. A mile winner at Haydock on heavy ground last time, he clearly relishes cut and if he continues his upward curve then he can gets seriously involved. Newcastle winner Darfour looks best of the rest but has yet to race on this ground and Held Captive looks good enough to score.
Thunder Storm Cat (USA) 66-1 (8-9) Close up, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, 25th of 30, 25l behind Eddie Jock (9-7) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Novikov 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden out, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gs in Jun beating Pillar of Hercules (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Held Captive (USA) 5-1 (8-12) Held up, headway to track leaders 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gs in Jun beating Murbek (9-3) by 6l, 8 ran.
Mutajarred 6-4fav (9-2) Held up behind leaders, headway 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and kept on final furlong, won at Haydock 1m mdn stk (5) hvy in Jun beating Montrachet (8-11) by 2l, 10 ran.
Dream Lodge (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-13) Mid-division, hung left from over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 3l behind Danehillsundance (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Darfour 5-1 (8-4) Raced alone farside until switched over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 8l behind Fish Called Johnny (8-4) at Ayr 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Mark of Love (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) In rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, never reached leaders, 7th of 14, 5l behind Cnoc Moy (9-6) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs.
