held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on well towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on
in touch, headway over 4f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on one pace
held up, ridden over 3f out, no impression
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up and keen, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on
in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
The very much in-form Mark Johnston saddles just one runner at Chester, recent Goodwood winner Knavesmire Omen who can make the trip from Middleham pay by outstaying them all, with Archduke Ferdinand, Tamiami Trail and Harlestone Grey likely to run well. The latter has to shoulder topweight but is a useful sort who stayed on when third in Listed company in Italy last time. The extra trip here should suit John Dunlop's charge. Paul Cole has won the last two runnings of this event and saddles Archduke Ferdinand. He was easily brushed aside by the selection at Doncaster last season, but it is interesting that Cole pitches him in again here for his first outing of the campaign and any market moves should be noted. Tamiami Trail is an out-and-out stayer who chased home Cover Up in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot, and did not fare too badly either when second to Persian Punch in a Listed race at Sandown. In the light of the latter's Goodwood Cup victory, that form does not look bad, and Brian Meehan's charge can give Knavesmire Omen most to do, while having to settle for a place again behind the selection, who gave Mark Johnston his 100th winner of the season, and who looks all set to go in again here.
