mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, switched left over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra and lost 3rd post
tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, chased winner and edged left inside final furlong
held up, switched right 2f out, headway soon after, led approaching final furlong, edged left and ridden clear
slowly into stride in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to take 3rd post
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
DULCIE could find further improvement for this longer trip and is put forwards ahead of Perfect Shot and Pseudonym. The latter arrives in fine form following narrow wins over Longboat Key and Zuwaar who both reoppose here. The margins of success ensure that his ascent up the ratings is slow but the handicapper must be close to gaining the upper hand. Accordingly, the two defeated runners both enter calculations whilst the step back up in trip and the promise of softer ground may enable Clear Reef to improve on last year's fifth in this heat when one place ahead of a more fancied John Dunlop runner. The Arundel trainer is represented by Perfect Shot this year who showed improved form for the step up to fourteen furlongs last time without suggesting that he was crying out for this trip. Preference, therefore, is for the lightly raced Dulcie who struggled in Listed company before staying on at the one pace over a mile six at Haydock. She didn't do anything quickly there suggesting that a further step up in trip was in order and she should run a big race with a more experienced pilot taking over from an apprentice. Support for Alessano or Thunder Rock would be worth noting whilst Danzatrice can't be ignored but the claims of the younger Dulcie appeal more.
Alessano 14-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, not much room and pushed right inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 7l behind Callisto Moon (9-1) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 16, 18l behind Trois Villes (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcap (2) gs in Oct '06.
Clear Reef 13-2 (9-4) Led and raced freely, soon clear, came towards stand side over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left towards far side group from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Coeur de Lionne (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Ragamuffin Man (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Silk Hall (9-6) at Great Leighs 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Swordsman (GER) 25-1 (8-0) Prominent, led after 4f, narrowly headed 6f out, stayed well there until weakened quickly inside final 2f, 13th of 19, 27l behind Sweetheart (8-1) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jul.
Pseudonym (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 3f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Beverley 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul beating Longboat Key (8-1) by ns, 9 ran.
Danzatrice 10-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Miss Keck (9-2) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Perfect Shot (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Lombok (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Dulcie 9-2 (8-10) Held up in last pair, pushed along 5f out, stayed on inside final 2f, edged left and no impression inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Lethal Glaze (9-7) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul.
Longboat Key 9-1 (9-5) Pushed along to lead, headed over 5f out, remained in touch, outpaced 3f out, well beaten 1f out, 5th of 8, 11l behind Royal Diamond (8-11) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Zuwaar 9-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, edged left 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 3l behind Mudawin (8-6) at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
