slowly into stride, behind, soon pushed along, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, held near finish
in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, held on under pressure final furlong
led, headed 2f out, soon ridden and edged left, no extra final furlong
went right start, behind and soon pushed along, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced when not clear run over 1f out, switched right and weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace
This looks a distinctly moderate contest and what can only be a tentative vote goes to the lightly raced Artie's Son, who is preferred to Dark Champion and Nazaaha. Like most of his rivals, the last mentioned has had plenty of chances and is becoming expensive to follow although he would have claims on the pick of his form. Shunkawakhan showed some signs of ability on the all-weather at Kempton last time and would have a chance if able to translate that ability back to turf. Montana has had more chances than most and is hard to recommend, while Dark Champion disappointed last time but may be better than that judged by earlier form. A chance though is taken with Artie's Son, who may be open to more improvement than most after just three runs and comes from the yard of Tim Easterby that is back among the winners again now.
Fikri 14-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Ashes (10-0) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Shunkawakhan (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up behind, ridden and stayed on from over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 12, 4l behind Fantasy Explorer (8-12) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol in May.
Dark Champion 7-1 (9-4) Prominent, driven over 2f out, ridden when weakening final furlong, 9th of 14, 10l behind Jellytot (8-0) at Catterick 7f mdn 0-60 (6) gf.
Lord Mayfair (USA) 12-1 (8-2) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Imperium (9-3) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) frm.
Nazaaha (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway when switched left over 1f out to chase leaders, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Vibe (8-10) at Chepstow 6f mdn hcp (5) gf.
Montana 12-1 (10-11) Never better than mid-division, 15th of 18, 15l behind Briery Lane (10-13) at Redcar 6f amt hcp (6) gf in May.
Dysonic (USA) 28-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 19l behind Wings Of Morning (8-8) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in May.
Artie's Son (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Dwelt and towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Jakeini (9-3) at Catterick 5f 3yo mdn aut (6) gs in May.