held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well
led, pushed along over 4f out, soon ridden, headed over 2f out, one pace after
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and switched wide over 4f out, outpaced over 2f out
tracked leaders, hard ridden to lead over 2f out, hung left and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
An intriguing Group 3 contest here which should be fought out by last year's St Leger winner Bollin Eric and old favourite Persian Punch, and we will side with the latter. David Elsworth's veteran stayer has enjoyed a tremendous resurgence of late, beating one of his opponents here, Cover Up by a short-head at Sandown last month before landing the Goodwood Cup last time out. Raised 3lb for that Group 2 success, he is still 2lb better off with Cover Up and with trip and ground to suit, this grand old campaigner can take this race for the third time. Bollin Eric will certainly be thereabouts in this two mile contest, provided he does get home. He will have to travel two furlongs further than ever before if he is to win. However, this year he has not quite looked the horse that landed the oldest Classic of them all in 2002 and giving weight away might just find him out again. With Cover Up seemingly held, it may fall to bottom weight Zindabad to make the frame. Mark Johnston's seven-year-old is another stepped up considerably in trip and it remains to be seen if he will get home, but he is a tough sort who might just be suited by a battle in the final quarter of a mile. However, we are happy to side with Persian Punch for another emotional success.
