tracked leaders on outer, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, soon in mid-division on far rail, headway under pressure to chase leaders 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out
reluctant and soon driven along in rear, always behind
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, never dangerous
dwelt, took keen hold and soon close up, wandered under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly away, reluctant and driven along throughout, always behind
dwelt, soon in touch, stayed on to take 3rd over 1f out, nearest finish
prominent, chased winner over 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and struggling over 2f out
The Clive Brittain-trained Yarqus has a lot in his favour here and is selected in preference to The Grey One and Trafalgar Bay, who have shaped up nicely to date. The last named ran a blinder on his debut at Salisbury when be belied odds of 100/1 to finish a close up second to a well regarded type of David Elsworth's. The son of Fruits Of Love can be expected to step up from that run and is well worth considering if he is supported. The Grey One has almost the best of the draw if they stay on the far side and hails from a yard that do well here. The step up in trip will help him this afternoon and he can play a leading role today. However, it is hard to escape the claims held by Yarqus, who has not really done a lot wrong in his three previous starts. The son of Diktat has valuable experience over the trip and, as the form of his latest start sets a good standard for the rest, Yarqus looks to been found a reasonable opportunity to get off the mark.
Trafalgar Bay (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Permanex Pride (8-11) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Yarqus 12-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, lost place 3f out, stayed on again final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 9l behind Close To You (8-10) at Newbury 7f 2yo aut (3) sft in Jul.
And Again (USA) In The Wings filly, half-sister to the very useful Olden Times and 1m4f winner All Good Things.
The Grey One (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Slowly away, soon recovered into mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression final 2f, 5th of 12, 8l behind Envision (9-0) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd.
Les Soeurs (IRE) 50-1 (8-4) Slowly away, always behind, tailed off over 2f out, last of 11, 28l behind Gallery Girl (8-6) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Park Lane Princess (IRE) King Of Kings filly out of a lightly-raced maiden.
Neardown Maid 33-1 (8-11) In touch on outer, beaten when ran wide into straight 2f out, last of 10, 14l behind Bathwick Alice (8-11) at Lingfield 6f 2yo fll sll (6) pol.
Shinko (IRE) 20-1 (8-0) Bumped start, behind most of way, 9th of 13, 11l behind Macvel (9-0) at Windsor 6f 2yo fll hcp (5) gf.