mid-division, outpaced when hung left 2f out, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, just held for 3rd
dwelt, behind, headway into mid-division halfway, weakened over 1f out
with leaders, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, held on well under pressure inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led narrowly, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon ridden and lost place, no extra
chased leaders ridden over 1f out, stayed on to press winner inside final furlong, held towards finish
chased leaders, driven over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, just held on for 3rd, no impression with leading pair
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
always behind
behind, driven over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
Eton Rifles makes his seasonal bow and could pose dangers and Tajneed is a previous course and distance winner, however we give the vote in this race to ESPRIT DE MIDAS. He has had some really good runs on the all-weather last year and a close second on turf half a length behind Bond City last time out signals there may be more to come from Kevin Ryan's representative. Tajneed has won here over this trip but not for two years, but with a good seasonal reappearance in April and from a well respected yard he could really challenge our selection here. Eton Rifles comes back after a break and could put up a real fight if showing anything like the performance that we saw from him at Hamilton last year. Abraham Lincoln really improved for the first time cheek-pieces at Chepstow but has not won since 2007 and will need to produce something special to score. In this interesting and wide open contest we side with the improving Esprit de Midas.
Marine Boy (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Led, pushed along 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 10l behind Storm Ultralight (9-1) at Lingfield 1m stks (3yo+) (2) pol in Apr.
Eton Rifles (IRE) 6-4fav (8-9) With leader, ridden to gain definite advantage over 1f out, driven out, won at Hamilton 6f cond Stakes (2) gd in Sep beating Beckermet (8-9) by 1l, 9 ran.
Excusez Moi (USA) 20-1 (9-2) Towards rear, never a factor, 15th of 16, 12l behind Lenny Bee (8-8) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Tajneed (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Lenny Bee (8-8) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Esprit de Midas 20-1 (9-4) In rear far side group, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Bond City (8-13) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Courageous (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 23, 9l behind Hawkeyethenoo (8-1) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gs in May.
Tabaret 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, unable to quicken entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 6th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Hamish Mcgonagall (9-1) at York 5f hcp 105 (2) gf in May.
Abraham Lincoln (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Bumped start, soon chased leaders, ridden and pressed leaders over 1f out, ran on to 2nd last strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Captain Carey (8-11) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in May.
Joseph Henry 6-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 32l behind Game Lad (8-10) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Northern Dare (IRE) 11-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, hard driven to challenge 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 6l behind Tiddliwinks (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Shotley Mac 18-1 (9-4) Close up, every chance over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 8l behind Discanti (8-11) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Haajes 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Favourite Girl (8-8) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Cerito 14-1 (8-13) Chased leader, hard driven halfway, weakened over 1f out,, 6th of 7, 5l behind Osiris Way (9-2) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Lochan Mor 6-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, chased leaders,lost place after 2f, soon detatched, eased over 1f out, last of 12, 46l behind Trans Sonic (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp (0-90) (3) fbs in May.
