effort halfway, no impression
chased leaders to halfway
dwelt, towards rear, headway when not much room 2f out and again over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders to halfway
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
never dangerous
towards rear, headway and not much room over 1f out, switched right and ran on final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, regained lead, kept on gamely
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up in touch, smooth progress to lead entering final furlong, headed and jockey dropped whip, one pace
towards rear, switched left over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden when weakening over 1f out
prominent, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, never on terms
towards rear, never near to challenge
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Tax Free has done very little wrong so far and the David Nicholls-trained colt is taken to provide his handler with another big-race sprint handicap success at the main expense of Gimasha and Viking Spirit. The last mentioned disappointed at Leicester last time but Walter Swinburn's colt had looked progressive prior to that and has to be respected under ground conditions that suit. Gimasha has the beating of Intrepid Jack on running at Windsor earlier this month although today's softer surface may bring the pair closer together. Geoff Huffer's Banjo Patterson has shown progressive form this term and has to be considered but may prefer a faster surface and a bigger threat could prove to be Richard Hannon's Marching Song, for who the booking of Kieren Fallon takes the eye. Last time out winners Folga and King's Gait are others to consider along with Sylvester Kirk's Salamanca, who will appreciate the underfoot conditions but the vote goes to Tax Free. A defeat over a mile that stretched his stamina too much is the only blip in the form of the son of Tagula, who has an obvious chance on form, goes on the ground and is trained by a man who knows how to handle sprinters than anyone else.
Obe Gold 66-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, raced stands' side over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, soon eased, 7th of 11, 4l behind Arakan (9-0) at York 7f lst stk (1) gf.
Distinctly Game 100-1 (9-9) Chased leaders on stands' side until weakened over 1f out, 25th of 27, 12l behind Gift Horse (9-7) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Excusez Moi (USA) 10-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind King's Gait (8-3) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs.
Coleorton Dancer 4-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden and every chance when hung right over 1f out and left, held when hampered inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind King's Gait (8-3) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs.
Cool Panic (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Chased leader, led halfway, headed well over 1f out, weakened 1f out, 11th of 12, 16l behind Resplendent Glory (9-1) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in May.
Viking Spirit 9-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sea Hunter (9-0) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Woodcote (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Raced stand's side, always behind, last of 18, 14l behind Corridor Creeper (9-10) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Marching Song 20-1 (8-11) Raced centre for 2f, in touch, effort on outside 2f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 15, shd behind Gimasha (8-4) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Salamanca 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 3l behind Sea Hunter (9-0) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Tax Free (IRE) 10-1 (8-0) Raced far side, tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon overall leader, ran on well, won at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul beating Woodcote (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 20 ran.
Gifted Gamble 7-2 (9-5) Not much room soon after start, in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4l behind Melalchrist (8-6) at Chester 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Intrepid Jack 9-4fav (8-4) Pressed leaders, led halfway to over 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Gimasha (8-4) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Harvest Warrior 100-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 18th of 19, 15l behind Momtic (9-6) at York 1m hcp (2) gf.
Rainbow Rising (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Prominent stands' side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 15, 4l behind Inter Vision (8-11) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) gd.
Gimasha 8-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, hard ridden close home, just held on, won at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (2) gd beating Marching Song (8-11) by a shd, 15 ran.
Briannsta (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) In touch, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, soon ridden, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 8, nk behind Melalchrist (8-6) at Chester 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Folga 10-1 (8-5) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, all out, won at York 5f 3yo hcp (2) gd beating Sumora (9-4) by a shd, 14 ran.
King's Gait 9-1 (8-3) Held up in touch, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs beating Excusez Moi (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Banjo Patterson 4-6fav (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, kept on, won at Yarmouth 7f hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Idle Power (9-7) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Don Pele (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Dwelt, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, 6th of 8, 6l behind King's Gait (8-3) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs.
