led for 4f, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, quickened up well to lead just inside final furlong, ran on
held up on stands side, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace
prominent, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra when headed final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up behind, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders until weakened over 1f out
Middleton Grey, who looks to be on a good mark on turf, gets a confident selection in this finale; there are doubts about many of the opposition, but Gems Bond could be the best of the rest. The latter is a course winner who advertised his wellbeing with a fair second at Chepstow recently and should make the frame at least here. Ladywell Blaise is not the most reliable of performers but often saves her best for this course and could go well at a decent price. Taranaki would have a chance on his best form, but seems to be getting more difficult to ride with every race, while Magic Amour is still a maiden but is in fair form and is another with place claims. However, it is hard to avoid the credentials of Middleton Grey here. Rated 87 on sand, David Arbuthnot's gelding is 21 pounds lower on turf but ran well in a better race over course and distance in May, his last outing. The booking of Pat Eddery suggests he will lack nothing for fitness and he should win this.
