held up, pushed along 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out to take 2nd near finish, no chance with easy winner
tracked leader, led inside final 3f, headed just inside final 2f, chased easy winner to inside final furlong, no extra
led, headed inside final 3f, weakened rapidly 2f out, eased final furlong, tailed off
slowly into stride, held up, headway to track leaders 6f out, led going well just inside final 2f, soon in command, drew right away final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened quickly 3f out, tailed off
in touch, headway 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, chased easy winner inside final furlong, no impression and lost 2nd near finish
held up in touch, effort on outside and ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up last, headway on outside and hung right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
In the finale, Franklins Gardens is nominated ahead of Lost Soldier Three and Bulwark. As ratings tell us, if he is anywhere near his best, this season's Lonsdale Cup runner-up Franklins Gardens has to get involved today if in that type of form. This is Lost Soldier Three's level and he also holds solid claims on ratings and can go well. Frank Sonata is also entitled to respect and, much as he was disappointing at Haydock last time, he cannot be ruled out, although the more rain the better for him. It would be no surprise to see Bulwark get closer to the selection than he did in the Lonsdale Cup, as he might just see the race pan out his way, but the others need to find improvement on the best that they have so far shown in order to play leading parts in today's contest. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Franklins Gardens.
Frank Sonata 33-1 (9-10) Held up, 7th 5f out, 6th and ridden straight, no impression from 2f out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Kastoria (9-7) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Bulwark (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 10l behind Sergeant Cecil (9-1) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug.
Franklins Gardens (9-0) Led to well over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 17l behind Le Miracle (9-0) at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Hawridge Prince 20-1 (10-0) In touch, headway 3f out, led on bit over 1f out, soon ridden clear, ran on well, won at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gd beating Trance (8-11) by 5l, 6 ran.
Hippodrome (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Behind, lost touch from over 3f out, eased when no chance final 2f, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Crocodile Dundee (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Lost Soldier Three (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden over 4f out, stayed on from over 1f, not reach leaders, 5th of 9, 3l behind New Guinea (8-0) at Chester 1m 5f lst hcp (1) gd in Aug.
Midas Way 50-1 (9-11) Always behind, last of 12, 41l behind Sendintank (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (2) gs in Sept '05.
Saint Alebe 33-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer, 6th of 8, 8l behind Rationale (7-12) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Kindling (8-8) Dropped away quickly 6f out, tailed off, last of 8, 46l behind Petite Speciale (8-7) at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr.