tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, towards rear but in touch, headway well over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on to lead closing stages
steadied start, keen in rear, effort over 2f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, effort on inside over 2f out, kept on same pace, never a threat
tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, weakened 1f out
held up, towards rear but in touch, never a factor
led, hard driven when pressed from over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on
Four of these won their latest starts but recent course and distance fourth DUTCH ARTIST makes most appeal. David O’Meara’s charge was beaten less than length behind Jacbequick last month when ahead of subsequent 1m2f winner and today’s rival Final. He’s closely matched with Rocket Ronnie on that running but has more scope than the latter and is also preferred to Billy Bond, whose recent Southwell win was his first in 17 starts. Janaab remains on a winning mark despite a 5lb rise for scoring at Haydock and Planetaria continued his good progress with a victory at Hamilton last month but is upped a grade for this.
Dutch Artist (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Keen led 1f, close up, ridden 2f out, stated on towards finish, 4th of 10, 1/2l behind Jacbequick (9-7) at Beverley 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Final 9-4 (9-4) Tracked front pair, driven over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden, challenged inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 50 yards, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Mysterial (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Rocket Ronnie (IRE) 5-2fav (10-0) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway well over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Lord Reason (9-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Homeland (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Towards rear, some late headway, never threatened, 9th of 16, 7 1/4l behind Gurkha Friend (9-6) at Carlisle 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Billy Bond 6-4fav (8-11) Awkward start, chased leaders, led well over 2f out, ridden clear approaching final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Archie's Advice (9-7) by 13l, 7 ran.
Janaab (IRE) 17-2 (9-3) Held up, towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, went inside final furlong, pushed along to lead near finish, won at Haydock 7f hcp (5) sft in Jun beating Chaplin Bay (9-10) by nk, 10 ran.
Planetaria (IRE) 10-3fav (9-7) Made all, pushed along over 2f out, held on well towards finish, won at Hamilton 1m hcp (5) gs in Jun beating Mr Grumpy (9-7) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
