mid-division, ridden along and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, driven to challenge approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, outpaced when not much room 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
held up, smooth headway over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on
towards rear, never dangerous
always rear division
led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
This does not look anything like as competitive as it might have been for the prize money on offer and we take top weight Beckermet to go in, with Buachaill Dona, King's Gait and Wyatt Earp also considered. The Roger Fisher-trained selection is due a 2lb rise from Saturday and is a quality performer over both five and six furlongs, while he also went well over a mile last time. A strongly-run 6f here will be right up his street and he can take advantage. Buachaill Dona has much less mileage on the clock and a very good wins-to-runs ratio. He acts both on fast ground and with cut which is a plus, but he just looks to be a little too high in the weights to win. King's Gait should come on for a recent Ascot pipe opener and can go well, though he will want the rains to be seen to best effect, while Wyatt Earp is a course and distance winner who acts on any ground and should not be far away. Our preference, however, is for Beckermet to get his nose in front.
Beckermet (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed well inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Dhaular Dhar (8-12) at Chester 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Buachaill Dona (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Keen early, held up in touch on outer, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 16, 7l behind Al Qasi (8-13) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs in Sept.
Turnkey 28-1 (9-11) Outpaced behind, 13th of 16, 17l behind Kostar (9-5) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Apr.
Indian Trail 9-1 (9-4) Raced stands side, steadied start, soon switched left, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 25th of 29, 10l behind Beaver Patrol (8-10) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Zomerlust 16-1 (8-6) Raced centre, chased leaders over 5f, 13th of 28, 13l behind Wise Dennis (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd.
King's Gait 16-1 (8-13) Behind, not clear run and hampered 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 21, 5l behind Zidane (8-12) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Ingleby Arch (USA) 50-1 (8-3) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, kept on from over 1f out, never on terms, 8th of 18, 5l behind Rising Shadow (8-7) at York 6f hcap (2) sft in Oct.
Wyatt Earp (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Raced far side, chased leaders 4f, 24th of 29, 8l behind Beaver Patrol (8-10) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Desert Commander (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 13th of 18, 7l behind Pivotal's Princess (9-4) at Beverley 5f hcap (3) gf in Apr.
Mezuzah 8-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 9, 15l behind Wise Dennis (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Apr.
Hoh Hoh Hoh 20-1 (8-1) Led stands side group at strong gallop, ridden and hung right 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 29, 2l behind Beaver Patrol (8-10) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Royal Challenge 11-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 6l behind Wanchai Lad (8-12) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Commando Scott (IRE) 16-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 10l behind Dhaular Dhar (8-12) at Chester 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
