in touch, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, soon chased along, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish
prominent to halfway
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
behind, soon pushed along, some late headway, never near to challenge
towards rear, never dangerous
led, headed over 2f out, ridden when weakening over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner final furlong
prominent, outpaced over 4f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, never near to challenge
mid-division, driven halfway, soon beaten
In the finale, Devil's Island gets the vote ahead of Chicken Soup, with Penwell Hill possibly proving best of the others. The Sir Mark Prescott-trained selection is hardly an inspired choice but, having improved to win at Wolverhampton last time, it would hardly be surprising if one of the finest trainers there is found even more improvement from his charge. Having won from a mark of 62 over course and diatance in December, Chicken Soup ran well from today's mark last time and, ridden with a touch more restraint today, could go well again. Given that he was a course and distance winner from a seven-pounds higher mark in March, Penwell Hill cannot be ruled out of a good run, despite most of his recent efforts having been modest. Do not rule out a good showing from Dudley Docker, who made late headway after a slow start last time, Jakarmi is capable from today's mark and has been running over further of late, Union Jack Jackson holds claims on his form of just over a year ago, and Golden Square appreciated the drop to seven furlongs to score last time and, even under a penalty, can't be ruled out. Overall, though, we will side with Devil's Island.
Penwell Hill (USA) 66-1 (8-7) Led, took keen hold, headed over 5f out, ridden over 4f out, weakening when not much room over 3f out, last of 12, 48l behind Bethanys Boy (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Lord Links (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 14, 17l behind Samuel Charles (8-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Familiar Affair 5-1 (9-0) Soon led, under pressure over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 22l behind Risk Free (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Chicken Soup 8-1 (9-1) Close up, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra, 4th of 14, 5l behind Speed Dial Harry (9-9) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Come What July (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Towards rear, driven over 4f out, never on terms, 6th of 7, 27l behind Oldenway (9-2) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Dudley Docker (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Slowly away, in rear, headway and hung left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 13, 6l behind Amorist (8-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Fraternity 14-1 (8-3) Led until 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 17l behind African Sahara (9-1) at Nottingham 1m app hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Triple Jump 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 13l behind Baylaw Star (9-2) at Beverley 1m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Warden Warren 40-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon recovered, pressed winner to 2f out, weakened rapidly, last of 14, 17l behind Stoic Leader (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Jakarmi 20-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 5l behind Kindlelight Debut (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Union Jack Jackson (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, effort over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 14, 21l behind Samuel Charles (8-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Golden Square 7-1 (8-12) Prominent, ran on to lead approaching final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs beating Augustine (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Gem Bien (USA) 11-1 (9-2) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 14, 23l behind Blue Empire (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Devil's Island 12-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Kirkstone (9-4) by a hd, 12 ran.
