led, pushed along and headed early straight, ridden and kept on, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along early straight, 4th and ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along to lead early straight, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outer 2f out, pushed along and edged right to lead 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably
SALTONSTALL is rated 16lb clear of anything in the race and has the only claiming rider so it will be a shock if he's beaten despite attempting to score over this trip for the first time. His three latest victories have been over a mile, including in Listed company, so his class should see him through. Kevin Manning will ensure there's no hanging about on Bold Approach, who scored over 1m4f just over a year ago and finished runner-up over 2m here in November. Grandmaster Flash gained his last victory over 1m4f here in November 2019 and has been racing over further so he's another who will need a stamina test. The remaining pair are in good form but have a mountain to climb on official figures.
Bold Approach (IRE) 3-1 (9-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and lost place early straight, 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Pure Nature (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Grandmaster Flash (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Waited with towards rear, moderate 11th approaching straight where raced on outer, kept on without threatening final furlong, 7th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Scholastic (8-6) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Raphael (GER) 9-4 (10-1) Chased leaders in 3rd on inner, took keen hold, improved to dispute lead and pushed along 1 1/2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Tonkinese (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Jan.
Tartlette 15-2 (8-9) Waited with in rear and a little keen, headway towards inner straight, stayed on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 9, hd behind Bluebeard's Castle (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Saltonstall 9-4 (9-10) Waited with towards rear, closed up towards inner straight and travelling smoothly, pushed along 2f out, challenged from over 1f out, led from 100yds out, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov beating Harpocrates (9-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
