chased leaders, effort 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on but always being held by front pair inside final furlong
took keen hold, chased leader until ridden 2f out, weakened from over 1f out
led, driven and headed 1f out, stayed on, held towards finish
held up, closed over 5f out, pushed along 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on
Corncrake is upped in class under a penalty as he bids for a hat-trick having won a classified race at Nottingham last time. A winner at Goodwood recently, Sophosc has recorded all four wins so far over a mile while Al Mureib hasn’t progressed as expected and was beaten in a maiden at Leicester last time. Aspire Tower’s only win to date came in soft ground but FELIX recorded a novice success on a fast surface at Yarmouth last year. Sir Michael Stoute’s charge floundered in the heavy going at Haydock last month but gets another chance today on only his second outing since April.
Al Mureib (IRE) 15-8 (9-3) Tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 5 1/4l behind Keep Me Company (9-3) at Leicester 1m mdn stks (4) gs in Jun.
Felix 3-1 (9-7) Slow into stride, towards rear, short lived effort 3f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, last of 8, dist behind Jackamundo (8-11) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Jun.
Sophosc (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leading trio, switched left 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, battled on gamely to assert towards finish, won at Goodwood 1m hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Hawridge Storm (9-1) by nk, 5 ran.
Corncrake 7-2 (9-0) Towards rear, headway entering final 2f, led over 1f out, ran on, eased towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m 2f stks (5) gd in Jul beating El Picador (9-1) by 4l, 8 ran.
Aspire Tower (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Restless in stalls, led, ridden and headed 2f out, chased winner, well held, lost 2nd inside final furlong, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Never Do Nothing (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
