FIELDGUNNER KIRKUP relished the soft ground at Newcastle last Saturday when winning by nearly four lengths. David Barron's charge can go in again here on that evidence but won't have things all his own way with Illustrious Prince in the field. The latter was only beaten a length in better company at Newmarket last week and is a leading contender in this. No Poppy's winning run came to end on fast ground last month but she's not out of it back on today's surface while Masai Moon is another with strong claims if back to his best here.
Masai Moon 8-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Beat The Bell (8-10) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Mingun Bell (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 3rd over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Escape To Glory (9-5) at Folkestone 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fm in May.
No Poppy (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride raced wide, soon in mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 6l behind Ginger Jack (9-0) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Eastern Hills 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 10, 39l behind The Lock Master (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in May.
Fieldgunner Kirkup (GER) 9-2 (8-13) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft beating Hellbender (8-3) by 4l, 11 ran.
Illustrious Prince (IRE) 5-1 (7-12) Raced centre, tracked leader, every chance when groups merged over 2f out, kept on under pressure, never reached winner, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Paramour (8-8) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) sft.
Rigolleto (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) In touch, switched left after 1f, led 5f out, driven and headed over 1f out, soon ridden, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4l behind Flameoftheforest (9-7) at Chester 7f Classified Claiming Stakes (0-80) (3yo+) (4) sft.
Glenridding 33-1 (8-10) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 18l behind Powerful Presence (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Great Charm (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Switched right to race on stands rail and well on terms with leaders, went 2nd 3f out, hung left from over 2f out, no impression when lost 2nd entering final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind George Benjamin (8-12) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Conry (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 10th of 11, 8l behind Jungle Bay (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in May.
Forks 4-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Rivas Rhapsody (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Ursula (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Zomerlust (9-6) at Redcar 6f clm stks (6) sft in May.
Daunt (IRE) 6-5fav (9-3) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, travelling well in 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon pushed clear, won at Salisbury 7f 3yo clm (5) gd in May beating Marah Music (8-9) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
