chased leaders, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, no impression
led, ridden 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra well inside final furlong
behind, driven over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong to lead near finish
tracked leader, ridden and effort entering final furlong, kept on same pace
dwelt and behind, headway over 1f out, kept on, never trouble leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, headed and no extra near finish
mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, outpaced over 1f out, weakened final furlong
soon behind, never dangerous
behind and early reminders, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
This competitive seller could fall to Danish Blues, with Funfair Wane and Compton Plume just two of many dangers. Don Cantillon's four-year-old was suited by the drop to five furlongs last time out when winning a similar contest at Wolverhampton. His best recent turf run was over this trip at Yarmouth when second to Charlie Delta. A repeat of that effort should be good enough in this company. Former Ayr Gold Cup winner Funfair Wane also took advantage of a drop in class when successful at Hamilton and is again suited by the race conditions. Compton Plume showed signs of a form revival last time out and is certainly well in here on official ratings. Strike Force is one of the more consistent performers in the race and is another in with place claims. However Danish Blues has shown his best form over this trip and he gets our vote.
Blackheath (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Funfair Wane (9-0) at Hamilton 5f sll (6) gs.
Funfair Wane 11-2 (9-0) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, won at Hamilton 5f sll (6) gs beating Highland Song (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Strike Force 7-2fav (9-1) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Time Share (8-3) at W'hampton 6f 3yo clm (6) pol in Jun.
Compton Plume 33-1 (9-2) Prominent, effort over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, 6th of 12, 3l behind Benny The Bus (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol in Jun.
Jun Fan (USA) 9-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 6l behind Hotham (9-2) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Princely Vale (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) In touch, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 8l behind Looks Could Kill (9-2) at Ripon 6f clm (5) sft in Jun.
Ishibee (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Dwelt and towards rear, never dangerous, last of 9, 18l behind Cheery Cat (8-7) at Pontefract 6f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Halfwaytoparadise 66-1 (8-5) Pulled hard, led, headed 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 13l behind Indian's Feather (9-13) at Yarmouth 7f fll hcp (5) sft.
Jellytot (USA) 6-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 15, 9l behind Million Percent (9-0) at Catterick 7f hcap (6) gf in May.
Meathop (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Led, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Bold Indian (8-10) at Catterick 7f 3yo clm (6) gf in Jun.
Ocean of Champagne 28-1 (8-6) Towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 16, 7l behind Exit Strategy (9-1) at Ayr 6f 3yo hcp (6) gd.
Danish Blues (IRE) 11-10fav (9-9) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, hard ridden inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Bee Magic (9-4) at W'hampton 5f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) std.
