chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway and every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
soon outpaced, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and some headway over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
led, headed after 1f, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway and ridden over 2f out, not clear run 2f and inside final furlong, one pace
virtually refused to race, never on terms
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed final furlong and eased (saddle slipped)
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, led final furlong, kept on under pressure
Our old friend Ho Leng returns to the fray and should not be dismissed lightly, but the other topweight Shanook, Sea Storm, Blythe Spirit, Give Him Credit and Border Artist make for an interesting affair, with Shanook given the vote to retrieve recent losses. Shanook was sent off favourite to land the prestigious Victoria Cup at Ascot three weeks ago after previously scraping home at Catterick. With hindsight that was probably an impossible task, but the opposition here is not as daunting and Mark Johnston will be disappointed, not to mention surprised if the son of Rainbow Quest does not get back to winning ways. As mentioned, a whole host of others have claims of reaching the frame, and although lacking a recent outing, Ho Leng, who has been campaigned at a high level in the past, should be noted as one to follow this summer, as there is still a big handicap to be won with him.
