slowly into stride, in rear, carried left 2f out, soon outpaced, never a threat
tracked leaders, driven 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take narrow 2nd inside final furlong, no impression with winner
made all, driven over 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, kept on well
tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost place inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, edged left 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never near leaders
slowly into stride, held up in touch, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on to dispute 2nd inside final furlong, no impression
This has been won by some smart performers including Prince Of Lir a year ago from The Last Lion with both going on to much better things. The latter's yard is represented by Rufus King, an impressive winner at Pontefract, and CARDSHARP, a debut winner at Brighton before a fine run at Ascot and over 6f at Epsom where he led for most of the way. Chatburn is making good progress and made all at Redcar while Excellently Poised overcame greenness to score on fast going at Musselburgh and could do even better in today's softer conditions. Joe's Spirit showed the benefit of his debut at Bath when battling to victory over an extra furlong at Chelmsford.
Excellently Poised 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, headway inside final 2f, soon ridden to challenge, led inside final furlong, stayed on well (hand timed), won at Musselburgh 5f stks (3) gf in Apr beating Requinto Dawn (9-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Rufus King 2-1fav (9-2) Tracked leading pair, left in 2nd place after 1f, led halfway, clear 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Pontefract 6f stks (2) gd in May beating Inviolable Spirit (9-6) by 6l, 4 ran.
Cardsharp 7-4 (9-5) Led, ridden and pressed over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind De Bruyne Horse (9-5) at Epsom 6f stks (2) gd in Jun.
Chatburn (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on and edged left inside final furlong, held on well towards finish, won at Redcar 5f stks (5) gd in May beating Bengali Boys (9-5) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Joe's Spirit (IRE) 10-3jfav (9-2) Made all, strongly challenged throughout final 2f, held on gamely closing stages, won at Chelmsford City 6f stks (5) pol in May beating Tangled (9-2) by hd, 10 ran.
Areen Faisal (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Raced green in rear, headway approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Sound And Silence (9-2) at Newmarket 5f stks (4) gf in Apr.
Cool Spirit Swiss Spirit colt out of Marmot Bay.
