made all, clear halfway, driven final 2f, tired inside final furlong, all out
chased winner, hard ridden over 1f out, not quicken and lost 2nd inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
took keen hold, held up, ridden halfway, never in contention
held up in touch, headway 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not reached winner
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
slowly away and always behind
Nuit Sombre has a solid chance of delivering in this company; Zafarshah and Rock Of Cloonavery are fancied to pose the most problems along the way. Rock Of Cloonavery has dropped to a very handy mark and, being by Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Desert Prince, should handle the ground. He does need to better his latest effort but it would come as no surprise to see him be a player in this company. Zafarshah is another on a very fair mark and should not be underestimated. He won off a 15lb higher mark around this time last year and is one to seriously monitor in the betting. However, Nuit Sombre is a tough individual on his day and is likely to be hard to catch if he is allowed an easy lead. The first-time visor is a bit of a stab in the dark, so stakes should be adjusted accordingly.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Led, ridden over 1f out, fading when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Ionian Spring (9-7) at Chepstow 1m 2f clm (6) sft in May.
Zafarshah (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-0) In touch, ridden halfway, behind final 2f, eased over 1f out, saddle slipped, 12th of 15, 19l behind Renegade (9-7) at Brighton 7f sll (6) gf.
Bhutan (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 16l behind Ndola (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in May.
Tod SLoan (IRE) 20-1 (7-12) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 32l behind Bollin Michael (9-2) at Nottingham 1m app mdn hcp 0-80 (6) sft in May.
Barachois Gaudy 25-1 (8-8) Always behind, 13th of 14, 30l behind Christmas Truce (8-10) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) frm in May.
Croft (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 13l behind La Fanciulla (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 3yo clm (5) gs in May.
Legal Call 100-1 (7-13) Prominent and pulled early, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Maidford (8-13) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp (6) frm.
Rock Of Cloonavery (IRE) 5-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened, soon eased over 2f out, last of 11, well behind Emotive (8-8) at Leicester 1m 3yo clm (5) gs in May.
