soon led, headed over 7f out, chased leader to 4f out, weakened over 2f out
always towards rear, pushed along and struggling over 3f out
soon tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out until weakened approaching 2f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with front pair
held up in rear, ridden and struggling on wide outside over 2f out
held up towards rear, good headway 2f out, challenging over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, won going away
in touch, headway to lead approaching 2f out, ridden and edged right 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, clear 2nd
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, driven and unable to quicken over 1f out, no impression after
towards rear, kept on inside final furlong, no danger
slowly away, towards rear, ridden on outside 3f out, moderate headway inside final furlong
chased leaders on inside, weakening when not much room over 2f out
mid-division, effort on outside over 3f out, went 3rd 2f out, until driven and weakened over 1f out
soon tracked leader, led 7f out, headed approaching 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, no impression and lost 3rd inside final furlong
SAMURAI WARRIOR gets our support here to complete his hat-trick, with the main dangers expected to be Free Tussy and Apotheosis. David Evans' gelding avoids top weight status by having a five pound claimer on board. The previous two races he's won, including one here on the Polytrack haven't been tough affairs, but he could only beat what he was up against. Apotheosis has won on the Kempton all-weather over this trip, and is less exposed than some of these. He's raced in better company than this, including when second at Newbury last month. Free Tussy has raced and won off a much higher mark than he is now, but last time out won over course and distance, when Play Up Pompey was well beaten. He's raced in Dubai too, but never really lived up to expectations. John Bridger's pair look evenly matched, so support for Play Up Pompey or Rosy Dawn in preference to the other could be significant. It's not a contest in which to go piling in, but we'll side with Samurai Warrior.
Balnagore 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, challenged on outside going well 3f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 14, 14l behind Beau Fighter (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Horseshoe Reef (AUS) 13-2 (9-1) Raced keenly, tracked leader, disputed lead 3f out, every chance and hanging left over 2f out, soon lost place, eased final furlong, tailed off, last of 9, 27l behind Maadraa (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Samurai Warrior 4-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, chased leaders, led on inside 3f out, in command over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) fm in May beating Hatch A Plan (8-4) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lunar River (FR) 15-2 (8-11) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 18l behind Beau Fighter (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Apotheosis 7-2fav (8-11) Held up in rear, smooth headway travelling well over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, carried right inside final furlong, ridden and found no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Beau Fighter (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Wing Play (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Held up in rear and well off the pace, no chance final 3f, 7th of 9, 11l behind April Fool (8-13) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fm in May.
Clipperdown (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Keen, held up, headway from 3f out, chased leader entering final 2f, ridden to lead 1f out, headed towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Medieval Maiden (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Behind, headway 3f out, ridden to challenge when short of room and checked inside final 2f, kept on inside final furlong without troubling leaders, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Zalkani (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Free Tussy (ARG) 12-1 (8-13) Held up in mid-division, steady headway over 2f out, led on inside over 1f out, ridden, hung right inside final furlong, straightened, in command towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr beating Make Amends (8-8) by 1l, 13 ran.
Musashi (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Mid division, ridden 4f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 12, 19l behind Aureate (11-7) at Southwell 1m 4f Am clm stks (6) fbs in May.
Bridge of Fermoy (IRE) 17-2 (9-1) Held up behind mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress, 9th of 13, 6l behind Ergo (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Play Up Pompey 33-1 (8-4) Keen, always in rear, struggling 3f out, tailed off, last of 7, 41l behind Saloon (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Rosy Dawn 28-1 (8-1) Led until headed over 2f out, one pace, kept on well for 2nd, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Mixing (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f Apprentice Handicap (0-65) (4yo+) (6) pol.
