led, not fluent and headed 4th, not fluent next, soon given reminders, outpaced 3 out, rallied to lead approaching 2 out, soon clear, jumped left 2 out and last, stayed on well
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, went close 4th after 5th, challenging when short of room on inside after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, challenged 5th, led approaching next, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out, took modest 3rd last
held up in rear, ridden after 5th, weakened next, eased
tracked leaders, blundered 5th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner, blundered last
tracked leader, led 4th, headed approaching 6th, soon led again and stayed wide, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Jimmy Frost and son Hadden teamed up to land the corresponding race last year so respect is given to Captain Becket, a horse who has two course wins to his name. He arrives in form but this is much tougher than the seller he won last time and under these conditions it may pay to instead side with BENEDICT SPIRIT. The gelding showed when second at the track recently that soft ground poses no threat to him and off the same mark he must go well for Rhys Flint, who like young Hadden is riding for his father. Ladies Best should come on for his first run of the summer at Stratford and enters calculations on the basis of his smart flat form but recent efforts do suggest he's some way below that level now while Stumped has really struggled since winning in May and along with Ardistan and Gold Ring may do so again.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 6th, chased winner after next, kept on same pace approaching 2 out, never able to challenge, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Basford Lass (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Stumped 11-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, ridden in 8th 2 out, no impression, 7th of 10, 23l behind Kijivu (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Ladies Best 5-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, outpaced 4 out, one pace when left 3rd last, never dangerous, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Call At Midnight (10-7) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Captain Becket 6-1 (10-11) In rear, pushed along approaching 4 out, chased leaders after 3 out, went 2nd and hampered on bend before 2 out, well held in 2nd when leader blundered and slipped badly on landing, led after last, kept on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in Jun beating Navajo Nation (10-6) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ardistan (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders on outside, jumped slowly 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Alph (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Gold Ring 10-1 (11-8) Prominent, chased leader 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 9, 40l behind Chance Du Roy (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar '08.
