disputed lead, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, soon lost place, weakened next
held up in rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, upsides between last 2, ridden to lead narrowly flat, stayed on towards finish
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, soon lost place, struggling next, tailed off 3 out
held up in touch, chased leaders under pressure 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened after next, tailed off
held up in touch, headway to track leading pair after 4th, chased winner after 3 out to next, no chance with leading pair before last
held up in touch, dropped to rear 4th, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out
made most, went on after 3 out, ridden and hard pressed between last 2, headed narrowly flat, kept on, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along 4th, soon lost place, struggling next, tailed off 3 out
An interesting contest in which Art Broker sets the standard with a win and photo-finish second on his CV of late. Jake Greenall takes off 7lb and the gelding's experience and good attitude should definitely see him in the mix. Bhaltair showed little last time and is best watched whilst Snow Blizzard has his first run since joining Rebecca Curtis from Ireland where he showed more than enough the last twice to be of interest. The two newcomers couldn't be more different. Lion Road is an unexposed Flat performer expected to improve over timber for Alan King whilst NICHOLAS POCOCK is a solid, consistent and reliable sort on the level for Brian Ellison. He'll go well if transferring those abilities to timber and is a speculative choice.
Art Broker (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, led before 2 out, mistake and headed last, kept on and every chance run-in, just held towards finish, 2nd of 11, shd behind Layla's Dancer (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Bhaltair (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch and keen, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 6, 34l behind Kack Handed (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Christophers Quest 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, lost poor 3rd flat, tailed off, 4th of 9, well behind Carter (11-5) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Lion Road (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Transfer (8-11) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp (6) gd in Jun (flat).
Nicholas Pocock (IRE) 4-1fav (8-8) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, edged left 2f out, never nearer, 6th of 10, 7l behind Kings 'n Dreams (9-1) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd (flat).
Poor Prince 66-1 (10-5) Always in rear, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Carter (11-5) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Snow Blizzard (IRE) 10-3 (10-11) Chased leaders, progress 5 out, moderate 5th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 15l behind Peccatorum (10-13) at Tramore 2m 4f mdn hdl gf in Jun.
Point Of Reference 25-1 (9-8) In rear, not fluent 3rd, tailed off 6th, last of 8, well behind Elsafeer (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f 4yo mdn stks (4) gf.
