chased leader, driven to lead over 2f out, hard ridden and drew clear over 1f out, stayed on gamely
steadied into mid-division, pulled hard, outpaced over 3f out, rallied and headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on strongly, not reach winner
huld up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
held up in rear, headway and not clear run well over 2f out, soon hung right, kept on final furlong, never on terms
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2f out, never troubled leaders
pulled hard in mid-division, short of room over 8f out, beaten over 3f out
led, 5l clear halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon faded
chased leaders, under pressure over 4f out, soon lost place
always behind, eased well over 1f out
broke well, soon in touch, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, soon one pace
dwelt, held up in rear, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, hung left and weakened over 1f out
Devil To Pay will be popular however he faces some interesting rivals in Red Hot Desert and CURACAO, with our preference being for the last-named. Amanda Perrett's Sakhee gelding ran with great credit at Kempton on his reappearance and is sure to be suited by the longer trip this afternoon. He handles all types of going so won't mind what the weather does and looks sure to run well. Devil To Pay ran a cracker at Newbury last time out but a 3lb higher handicap perch leaves him teetering on the edge of his chance to win, so a bigger threat could be Strathcal who is back to a winnable mark and his record in the spring is admirable. The drop in trip will suit Mykingdomforahorse who is bred to keep on improving, Rowan Tiger wasn't far behind the selection at Kempton and is considered despite a high handicap mark, whilst Gargano has ability but his profile is very hit and miss. Michael Bell is well represented here with Highland Legacy and Lombok. The latter was on the upgrade when last seen at Nottingham in July, whilst the former ran a cracker behind My Arch at Musselburgh on his reappearance but he might prefer a drop of rain. The market needs watching for Just Rob, Chalice Welcome is opposable stepping up in grade, whilst Hughie Morrison is double represented by Puzzlemaster and Strathcal. With the consistent Red Hot Desert joining Relative Strength and Lady Hestia all with a case to be made for their chance, this looks a hot race, however the tentative vote goes to Curacao.
Just Rob 11-2 (9-10) Held up, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 6l behind Paktolos (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Curacao 12-1 (8-9) Soon pressing winner, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Sherman Mccoy (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Devil To Pay 13-2 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, headway to 2nd travelling well over 2f out, led briefly 2f out, chased winner after, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Satwa Gold (9-5) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Mykingdomforahorse 11-2 (8-10) In rear, never near leaders, 9th of 12, 21l behind Theola (8-8) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Admirable Duque (IRE) 33-1 (7-13) Well in rear, pushed along 7f out, made some late headway, never a factor, 6th of 9, 18l behind Coin Of The Realm (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Rowan Tiger 8-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sherman Mccoy (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Gargano (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 13th of 14, 35l behind My Arch (8-13) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 16-1 (8-12) Led early, chased leader until over 9f out, remained prominent, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Paktolos (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Red Hot Desert 5-1 (9-5) Chased winner, ridden 2f out, pressed winner and every chance 1f out, not quicken, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Colonel Sherman (8-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Relative Strength (IRE) 5-2fav (8-6) Led at steady pace, increased tempo 3f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Chalice Welcome (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 22-1 (8-6) Close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Colonel Sherman (8-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Highland Legacy 4-1fav (9-8) Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 14, 4l behind My Arch (8-13) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Morar 10-1 (9-8) In touch in 5th, headway and went prominent 6f out, driven on outside and outpaced as pace lifted over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Sinbad The Sailor (9-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
