mid-division, smooth headway to lead 2f out, kept on well, pushed out
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on, never going pace to challenge
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, weakening when short of room over 2f out
steadied start, weaved way through field from over 2f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, always held
always towards rear
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders early, gradually lost place
stumbled leaving stalls, soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, faded
chased leaders until weakened 2f out
held up, some progress under pressure 2f out, no further impression final furlong
The short-list is too long to include in its entirety here but we're going to select Finsbury ahead of Isphahan, Moves Goodenough and Napoletano. The selection has been well beaten in races won by Pragmatist and Isphahan the last twice and hasn't won since landing a seller at Leicester last summer whilst Milton Bradley has also been finding winners hard to come by this season. However, he's well drawn today and is reacquainted with George Baker who formed a decent partnership with the horse in the formative stages of his career. He's dropped to a career low mark and has shown glimmers of retaining his ability of late and may be worth chancing if the price is right. Isphahan is in the form of his life and looks sure to be involved with the season's apprentice find doing the steering once again; he's not too badly drawn and has solid claims. Moves Goodenough looks booked for a big run with Ryan Moore taking the ride for the first time but this test is probably sharp enough for him. Napoletano's last two wins have come under Neil Callan who is back on board for the first time since his most recent success. He's 4lbs higher than he was that day but has proved competitive from this mark and is yet another that looks sure to be in the firing line. Plenty in with claims but we're going to have a speculative interest in Finsbury in the hope that he can recapture his form of old.
Isphahan 7-2 (9-4) Held up in touch, driven and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Sintenis Mac (8-4) at Newmarket 1m app hcp (5) gf.
Moves Goodenough 6-1 (8-13) Towards rear, never threatened, 7th of 14, 5l behind Bold Cross (8-13) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Finsbury 16-1 (9-1) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, faded, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Isphahan (8-5) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Pragmatist 7-1 (8-12) Broke well, with leader throughout, ridden over 1f out, kept on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Brighton 7f hcap (6) gs in May beating The Jailer (8-6) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Napoletano (GER) 8-1 (8-13) Held up, effort 2f out, ran on final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Paraguay (9-3) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Shaded Edge 13-2 (9-2) Close up on outer, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not quicken, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Strabinios King (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcap (6) pol.
Grizedale (IRE) 50-1 (8-3) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 10l behind Manchurian (9-2) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Leptis Magna 28-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, held up in rear, effort over 2f out, never a danger, 10th of 13, 7l behind Dear Maurice (9-4) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Contented (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Led stands' side group, ridden and edged right over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 13, 8l behind Tilsworth Charlie (8-5) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Goose Green (IRE) 22-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 5l behind Isphahan (8-5) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Takitwo 15-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Bartercard (9-12) at Salisbury 7f clm (5) gf.
Doctor's Cave 25-1 (9-0) Raced wide, towards rear, pushed along halfway, soon beaten, last of 12, 22l behind Choreography (9-5) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) frm.
Ten To The Dozen 20-1 (8-13) Raced keenly, soon prominent, chased leader over 5f out to over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 14l behind Northern Boy (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Bidable 66-1 (8-12) Steadied start, held up in mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong, 13th of 14, 21l behind Auntie Mame (8-7) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
