dwelt, held up in rear but in touch, smooth headway over 3f out, soon chasing leader, led over 2f out, edged right, soon clear, impressive
led, ridden when headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear but in touch, progress to chase leaders approaching final furlong, never on terms
tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased
tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
This is hugely competitive, as one would expect for the best race on the card, and we'll support the hat-trick seeking VULCANITE ahead of Beat The Rush and Shernando. There's a disappointingly small field, considering there's £12,000 for the winner, and Ralph Beckett's charge looks the most likely to land the spoils. He's improving with each race, and again may be held up to pounce late on. Shernando is a typical Mark Johnston horse and is likely to set the pace, together with Beat The Rush. Shernando ran better than the result would show last time out a fortnight ago at Ascot, when squeezed for room. The extra quarter of a mile should help him. Beat The Rush wins every other race, and if that sequence is maintained, today's not his day, but he is a course and distance winner, albeit in an inferior race last month. Kingdom of Munster is a former Aiden O'Brien runner, who's only beaten one rival to date in three runs for Ian Williams. Law To Himself is the least exposed, and steps up to this distance after previously racing exclusively over a mile. Nothing should be totally ruled out, but our preference is for Vulcanite. Into Wain completed a hat-trick in the spring at a lower level, but couldn't cope with a step up to a class 3 handicap at Newmarket or indeed a group race in France, and may be out of his depth here too. He's giving weight away all round too.
Vulcanite (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up last, well in touch, smooth headway on outside 3f out, tracked leader over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun beating Domination (8-10) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Beat The Rush 10-3 (9-3) Made all, ridden 2f out, kept on well, won at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun beating Boss's Destination (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Shernando 17-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, staying on when not clear run and short of room inside final furlong, rallied to go 4th near finish, 4th of 9, 6l behind Greylami (10-0) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Kingdom Of Munster (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 14l behind Yaa Wayl (8-8) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Law To Himself (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, took 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Elmfield Giant (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Into Wain (USA) 20-1 (8-11) last of 6, 9l behind Goldwaki (8-11) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
