chased leaders, weakening when hampered 2f out
held up towards rear, headway on outside and hung right from 2f out, stayed on to 3rd final 100 yards, no impression on leading duo
started slowly, held up in rear, ridden and struggling over 4f out
held up in mid-division on inside, switched left to outside and headway and edged right over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, chased leader 1f out, stayed on to lead final 50 yards
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, kept on one pace final 2f
held up towards rear, no impression when not clear run 2f out
took keen hold, held up last, headway on outside over 4f out to lead 3f out, clear over 1f out, no extra and headed final 50 yards
remiders after start and soon chased leader until over 3f out, stayed well there under pressure until weakened over 1f out
led until ridden and headed 3f out, soon lost 2nd, gradually weakened and behind
close up in 5th, headway to 2nd over 3f out, chased leader after until 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leading trio until ridden and weakened over 4f out, soon in rear, tailed off
A graveyard for favourites and last year's winner Unawatuna will find a repeat tough enough from 2lb higher and with the ground quicker this time, but PETELLA has a few points of recommendation. The presence of Paul Hanagan in the saddle looks a plus, as does the filly's competitive mark of 50. She stays every yard of this trip and acts well on good or fast ground so the verdict goes her way. Conditions should suit Capable Guest, but George Moore's gelding might struggle against a genuine stayer. He has never won beyond 1m 4f and when tried over further he clearly has to be switched off, a tactic that does not often suit here. Amir Pasha is one of those bona fide stayers in the field, having won at 1m 6f and made the frame over a today's distance. The ground will suit and with his pilot's claim he is not ruled out. Connections persist with Smugglers Bay over marathon trips, but there has been little encouragement from his performances, while Strikemaster has frame claims, though it is hard to put together a case for him to succeed. Petella can land the last.
Amir Pasha (UAE) 15-2 (9-3) Led 2f, remained prominent, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 11, 4l behind Epic (9-10) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Capable Guest (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, headway on outside from 3f out, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 10, 4l behind George Adamson (10-0) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Strikemaster (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Chased leaders on outer, led over 5f out, pushed along 4f out, headed 2f out, no extra, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Lava Lamp (8-7) at Catterick 2m sell stks (6) gf.
Descaro (USA) 85-40fav (10-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, edged right and not clear run over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Hurricane Thomas (9-6) at Beverley 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
Unawatuna 7-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and hung left from over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Rare Ruby (9-9) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Held up last, behind final 2f, 8th of 9, 12l behind Jeu De Roseau (9-0) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Petella 8-1 (8-7) Held up, headway from 3f out, switched right inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Lava Lamp (8-10) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Spring Breeze 25-1 (8-10) Led soon after start, headed 12f out, tracked leader until ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 35l behind Lava Lamp (8-10) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Power Desert (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 8l behind Andorn (9-7) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Light The City (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 3f out, effort over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 9, 8l behind Andorn (9-9) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Captain Cornelius (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Porgy (9-12) at York 1m 4f clm stks (4) gd in Jul.
Ursis (FR) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division on outside, effort 3f out to 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 11, 12l behind Miss Keck (9-1) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
