chased leaders, ridden 2f out, chased winner briefly inside final furlong
broke well, immediately outpaced, still plenty to do entering final furlong, ran on strongly to go 2nd near finish, not reach winner
with leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ridden out
in rear, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
dwelt, always behind
THE BEAR can be a bit of a handful in the preliminaries but if he behaves again then another win may follow; Distant Sun, Bonnie Prince Blue and Lesley's Choice may provide the stiffest opposition. On official figures the selection has a bit to find but he won with real authority at Ayr last time. He looks sure to be hit hard by the grader for that win but this tricky customer has a solid chance of following up if in the same mood this afternoon. Stablemate Mandarin Spirit was well-held in the race The Bear won and the experienced gelding is opposable, as is Galpin Junior despite the drop in grade after recent runs. Artsu is a course and distance winner and has conditions to suit, Lesley's Choice is arguably better on the all-weather but his second to Haajes puts him in the mix, whilst Bonnie Prince Blue drops back in grade and this well-travelled gelding is respected for shrewd connections. Distant Sun, a stablemate of the selection is respected given his beating of subsequent winner Tournedos, however we are happy to take a chance on The Bear.
Distant Sun (USA) 7-2fav (9-8) Chased leaders, picked up to lead 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, just held on, won at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun beating Tournedos (8-6) by hd, 7 ran.
Bonnie Prince Blue 14-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, raced stands side from over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression, 9th of 15, 7l behind Ailsa Craig (9-3) at Carlisle 1m hcap (4) gf in Jun.
Lesley's Choice 5-1 (9-6) Chased leader, ridden and every chance when hung right inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Haajes (9-11) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Artsu 3-1 (9-3) Took keen hold in touch on outside of field, switched inside to get cover well over 2f out, not clear run and hampered well over 1f out, soon switched back outside, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Crimea (9-13) at Hamilton 5f clm stks (6) gf in Jun.
Galpin Junior (USA) 8-1 (10-0) Raced wide, mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out, heavily eased final furlong, last of 8, 35l behind Gap Princess (9-7) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
The Bear 6-1 (9-9) Broke smartly, made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Ayr 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Speedy Senorita (9-10) by 5l, 11 ran.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Held up, headway halfway, went 3rd 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 5l behind The Bear (9-9) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Guest Connections 12-1 (8-6) Went left and dwelt start, soon outpaced, always behind, last of 9, 12l behind Sands Crooner (9-3) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Miacarla 40-1 (8-7) Keen in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 14l behind The Bear (9-9) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
