close up and keen, faded inside final furlong
dwelt, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
made all, ridden inside final furlong, held on well close home
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
in touch, ridden inside final furlong, one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
always towards rear
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
Baltic Brave has more on his plate than when winning at Yarmouth but is in good form. Outback Traveller was second on the all-weather on his return and remains unexposed while Highland Acclaim arrives off the back of a win at York, though looks vulnerable here under top weight. Red Pike is upped in grade but progressing and Dutch Art Dealer should have more to offer this year. Showpiece is consistent but appears to be treading water off his current mark. It would be no surprise to see ALMUHEET do much better now back on fast going as the maiden he won over this course and distance in August has worked out really well. The market will be a good guide but he gets a tentative vote.
Highland Acclaim (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, switched left and driven into 2nd inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Dark Castle (9-7) by nk, 18 ran.
Almuheet 9-4 (9-5) Raced stand side tracked leader, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 36l behind Basil Berry (8-5) at Doncaster 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Apr.
Outback Traveller (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders when short of room after 1f, headway to press winner 2f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Glorious Empire (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Skaters Waltz (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, headway and edged right over 2f out, no impression when hampered over 1f out, 9th of 10, 10l behind Idea (8-11) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Red Pike (IRE) 5-6fav (9-0) Made all, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, held on well, won at Haydock 6f 3yo stk 0-80 (4) gd in May beating Iftaar (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Showpiece 7-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Red Stargazer (9-4) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in May.
Finn Class (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Dwelt in touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 7l behind Ifwecan (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Biography 16-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 4f out, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on near finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Banaadeer (9-5) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May.
Dutch Art Dealer 7-2fav (9-7) Dwelt, held up in rear, switched right and headway well over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on strongly, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Zugzwang (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Baltic Brave (IRE) 5-4fav (9-2) Held up in touch, headway steady headway far side halfway, chased leaders over 2f out, went 2nd 2f out, led well over 1f out, kept up to work inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Yarmouth 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Maraayill (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Applejack Lad 2-1fav (9-7) Led after 1f, hard driven over 2f out, soon challenged, headed over 1f out, held when edged right close home, 4th of 11, 3l behind Mersad (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Spreadable (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Raced freely tracking leaders, every chance over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Royal Warrior (9-2) at Brighton 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
