tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
half reared and slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden and no impression over 1f out, driven and ran on near finish
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
awkward leaving the stalls and slowly into stride, in rear, headway and not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, ran on inside final furlong
raced wide, held up, headway halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
keen in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on
set steady pace, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
held up, ridden halfway, no impression
Without the benefit of seeing Present Alchemy's run in the 16:40, a horse that beat Solemn three starts back, we'll take Andrew Balding's RAPID WATER to land the closer. Our selection looked a shade unfortunate at Sandown when having to wait for a gap, before staying on for a close fourth, and off the same mark is worth another chance. Quick ground and a stiff finish suits and he's taken to begin to fulfil the promise of his breeding. Solemn is nothing if not consistent but the handicapper has been fair in keeping him around the same mark. Milton Bradley's charge relishes a stiff finish and acts on all types of ground, but he does need to find something from somewhere to score off this rating. Clifton Bridge is interesting as an unexposed sort taking a marked drop in grade; he's only 2lbs higher than when making a winning return to action and ran well enough at Newmarket. Brandywell Boy has work to do with Solemn off this mark on old form but may well have improved in the interim, although a 7lb rise for winning at Salisbury may halt the winning spree. Like our pick, Brynfa Boy will be suited by a good gallop and could stay on for a place while Even Bolder is handicapped to bounce back soon, but our selection remains Rapid Water.
Safari Mischief 28-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened just over 2f out, 15th of 19, 6l behind Bertoliver (8-6) at Epsom Downs 5f hcap (2) gf in Jun.
Rapid Water 12-1 (8-12) Dwelt, soon tracking leaders on rail, going well when not clear run from 2f out until over 1f out, found little under pressure when in the clear entering final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Piscean (8-13) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Clifton Bridge 16-1 (8-4) Raced far side, prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 19, 2 1/2l behind Mister Hughie (9-4) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Berbice (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Chased leading pair at fast pace, led narrowly travelling well over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd inside final furlong weakened to 4th post, 4th of 6, 11l behind High Importance (9-3) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fm.
Even Bolder 7-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, lost place 2f out, last of 11, 7l behind Brandywell Boy (8-1) at Salisbury 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Brynfa Boy 5-2 (9-3) Keen held up in touch, headway and switched left over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd post, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Captain Coke (8-13) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 7-2fav (8-1) Chased leaders, progress on inside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Salisbury 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun beating Misaro (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Triple Dream 16-1 (9-3) Behind, driven over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Desert Poppy (9-2) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Lucky Flyer 3-1fav (9-7) Led, ridden and headed approaching 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Wanchai Whisper (8-7) at Windsor 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Solemn 9-4fav (9-12) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, chased winner 2f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, no extra and held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Desert Poppy (9-2) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
