led, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden to lead 1f out, soon edged left, ran on
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
towards rear, headway and switched right over 1f out, soon not clear run, one pace final furlong
dwelt, behind, headway over 6f out, weakened over 3f out
behind, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
mid-division, switched right 4f out, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
prominent, pushed along 6f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, stayed on
in touch, lost place over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, stayed on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon not much room and switched right, stayed on
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway 10f out, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon switched right, hung left inside final furlong, stayed on, never nearer
slowly into stride, mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on nearest at finish
always behind
A cracking renewal of the Chester Cup and the confident vote is given to Swift Sailor who should get the better of Coconut Beach, Unleash and Cold Turkey. The selection won well last time out when beating Nounou. Granted that form has since been let down and he has a penalty for that success, but he has plenty of scope for improvement and is sure to appreciate this longer trip. From what looks a good draw this unexposed 4-year-old from the Mark Johnston yard looks the one to be with. Coconut Beach rates the main danger as he is another unexposed type from the all-conquering Aidan O'Brien yard. He was a fair fifth on his first run of the season behind Icklingham, but he is sure to strip fitter here. However, he just gave the impression that this trip stretched his stamina to the limit and for that reason we will pass him over. Unleash is another worthy of respect as he remains on a fair mark but he would not want any rain and with this forecast he is taken on. Cold Turkey is game and consistent and is sure to have the race run to suit, but this hold-up performer will need all the breaks to come at the right time on this turning track if he is to score. Dr Sharp looked an improved performer on his seasonal reappearance when beating Carlys Quest and he could go well, especially as he is proven over this trip. Big Moment has run well in this race on many occasions in the past and is another with place prospects, although he looks weighted up to his best at present. Swift Sailor has plenty in his favour and in a open affair he is given the vote.
Romany Prince 16-1 Behind, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 11l behind dhtrs Kasthari & Millenary at Doncaster 2m 2f Grp 2 (A1) gd in Sept.
Anak Pekan 8-1 Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 17l behind Millenary at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Big Moment 2-1 Dwelt and behind, headway 2f out, joined leader on bit well over 1f out, shaken up to lead final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 1m 4f lst stk (A1) sft in Nov beating Foreign Affairs by 5l, 6 ran.
Unleash (USA) 33-1 Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 32nd of 36, well behind Landing Light at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (B) gf in Oct '03.
Cold Turkey 11-2 Held up in rear, closed on bit to track leader 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m hcp gs in Mar beating Coventina by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Tees Components 9-1 Missed break, soon in touch, brief effort 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 23l behind Razkalla at Doncaster 1m 4f stk (B) gd in Mar '03.
Distant Prospect (IRE) 4-1 Always behind, last of 10, 31l behind Dr Sharp at Doncaster 2m 2f hcp gd in Apr.
Balyan (IRE) 7-1 Prominent early, dropped to 8th 5f out, headway 2f out, 3rd 1f out, ran on strongly to lead on line, won at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gf in Jul beating Moy Joy by a shd, 14 ran.
Contact Dancer (IRE) 4-1 Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, edged right and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Sendintank at Doncaster 2m hcp (C1) sft in Nov.
Coconut Beach Evensfav Settled 3rd, ridden early straight, close 4th when checked under 1f out, soon no extra, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Icklingham at Curragh 2m stk sft in Apr.
Land 'n Stars 12-1 Prominent, chased leaders 5f out, stayed on steadily final furlong to lead last strides, won at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (C1) pol in Mar beating Hello It's Me by a hd, 8 ran.
Swift Sailor 9-2 Tracked leader, pushed along 4f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp gs in Mar beating Nounou by 2l, 12 ran.
Dr Sharp (IRE) 9-1 Made all, quickened over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, clear well over 1f out, won at Doncaster 2m 2f hcp gd in Apr beating Carlys Quest by 3l, 10 ran.
King Revo (IRE) 6-1 Soon behind and pushed along, eased 3f out, tailed off, 15th of 19, well behind Balkan Knight at York 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (C) gs.
Copeland 33-1 Towards rear, headway 3f out, no impression final 2f, 16th of 18, 19l behind Archduke Ferdinand at Newcastle 2m hcp (B) frm in Jun '01.
Larkwing (IRE) 11-2 In touch, driven and every chance over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Tartouche at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp gf in Apr.
Mana d'Argent (IRE) 10-1 With leader, challenged 3f out to over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 7, 18l behind Most Definitely at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp gd in Apr.
High Point (IRE) 8-1 Held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, outpaced well over 3f out, kept on final 2f, 5th of 10, 6l behind Dr Sharp at Doncaster 2m 2f hcp gd in Apr.
