prominent early, held up in 4th after 2f, lost place 6f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not reached winner
slowly into stride, soon prominent, led after 3f, headed 5f out, weakened over 1f out
led 3f, chased leaders, led 3f out, kicked clear inside final 2f, just held on
prominent early, steadied after 2f, held up in rear, headway 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
held up in rear, headway 6f out, pushed along and lost place over 4f out, soon in rear, hanging badly left inside final 2f
pressed leader, led 5f out, headed 3f out, lost 2nd and one pace inside final furlong
The drop in class will suit ALWAYS BOLD who is preferred to Luna Landing and Bijou Dan. Donald McCain doesn't have many flat runners so the fact that we see this talented hurdler in action over the summer must be of interest. A well-related son of King's Best, he was certainly not disgraced in the Ascot Stakes last month and off a 2lb lower mark he is fancied to make hay whilst the sun shines. Luna Landing is a course winner but that success came over a shorter trip; he ran well last time out at Pontefract and the stable are in decent form. Bergonzi steps up in trip as he races off a 3lb lower mark but he has a bit to prove; interestingly he has started at 20/1 on his last two runs so if he is a short price then it may pay to take note. Puy D'Arnac was well-held last time at Pontefract behind Tyrells Wood despite starting at 5/1 and he has a bit to prove, although this track may suit more, whilst My Immortal is held by Luna Landing on a strict form line through their run behind Markington last time. Bijou Dan, a winner here last time and a winner over this trip before, comes here in fantastic form and a 6lb penalty may not be enough to stop him, whilst Fin Vin De Leu steps up in trip as he drops in class. An open race, but we will side with Always Bold.
Always Bold (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, outpaced and ridden along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, soon edged right and no impression on leaders, 8th of 20, 12l behind Judgethemoment (9-5) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Jun.
Luna Landing 14-1 (8-11) Led, driven over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Markington (8-3) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Bergonzi (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge, 7th of 12, 15l behind Record Breaker (9-10) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (2) gf in Jun.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 5-1 (9-7) Held up, headway over 4f out, went 4th over 3f out, no impression, 4th of 10, 33l behind Tyrrells Wood (9-7) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
My Immortal 12-1 (8-12) Mid-division, effort when outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Markington (8-3) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Bijou Dan 9-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway from over 3f out, switched right 2f out, ran on to lead and edged left inside final furlong, won at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Promise Maker (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Fin Vin de Leu (GER) 100-1 (7-12) Mid-division, ridden along 4f out, kept on one pace final 2f, never dangerous, 11th of 19, 7l behind Cosmic Sun (7-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
