pulled hard towards rear, never a factor
took keen hold in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression and weakened over 1f out
always in rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner
behind, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, no extra, one pace over 1f out
in touch, slightly short of room over 2f out, ridden and outpaced over 1f out
mid-division, good headway from 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, readily
soon tracked leader, ridden to challenge and every chance over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace
led until headed over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden over 2f out and outpaced, stayed on final furlong, not reached leader
took keen hold in rear, headway 3f out, soon slightly checked, hanging badly right over 2f out, kept on, never nearer
mid-division, chased leaders over 4f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 3f out, tailed off
mid-division, headway and effort over 2f out, slightly outpaced, ran on well final furlong
held up 4th, ridden 3f out, no headway and weakened from 2f out
Countback lost nothing in defeat behind Dubai Sunday at Lingfield earlier this month and has to be considered but a 3lb rise since then leaves Tony Carroll's gelding with more to do and with Come What July invariably finding at least one too good preference in a moderate contest is for Nod's Star. The selection landed a classified stakes race over course and distance in January and has held his form pretty well since then so is taken to resume winning ways over a trip that suits. Domenico is proving to be hard to win with and may have to settle for a minor role at best, while Myrtle Bay has yet to prove that he really stays this far. Lysander's Quest is capable but is on a long losing sequence and a safer bet may be Nod's Star.
Finished Article (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 13, 7l behind Blue Hills (10-5) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol.
Nod's Star 16-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Synonymy (9-7) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Come What July (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 13, 7l behind Synonymy (9-7) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Countback (FR) 8-1 (9-1) Dwelt, soon close up, chased leader over 3f out, led 2f out, joined approaching final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 14, shd behind Dubai Sunday (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Mustakhlas (USA) 9-1 (8-11) Led early, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, beaten when rider dropped whip inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 11l behind Rule For Ever (9-3) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, beaten when slightly hampered and switched right inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 9l behind Rule For Ever (9-3) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Domenico (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 3f out, soon headed, beaten over 1f out, 4th of 10, 5l behind Muntami (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
Myrtle Bay (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Mon Petite Amour (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
