held up in rear, ridden 2f out, not troubled leaders
held up mid-division, effort approaching final furlong, soon one pace
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along halfway, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on
led, headed after 2f, tracked leader after, ridden and every chance from 2f out, stayed on
pulled hard, led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead near final finish
pulled hard, held up, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
close up, ridden to lead 2f out, headed and no extra final furlong
always in rear
The finale is quite competitive with the short list narrowed down to Missed A Beat, The Gaikwar and My Princess, with the vote going to The Gaikwar. The selection is a course and distance winner that bounced back to winning form at Chepstow last time. Even with a six-pounds penalty he looks competitive again. Missed A Beat also comes here on the back of a penalised win, and can also go well. However, My Princess now races from a mark that is seven pounds lower than her c/d success of last year and, having looked to be on the way back last time, is another that can go well. Of the others, Tiber Tiger threw away a winning chance over course and distance two runs ago and, from just a two-pounds higher mark and with the rider that night back on board, he could yet go well again, Bold Diktator disappointed last time but, having looked progressive in winning twice before that, he can't be ruled out, while Sonny Parkin's sole win came over course and distance from today's mark under today's rider last season, so can be given claims based on that information. Overall, though, we will stick with The Gaikwar.
Curtain Bluff 10-3 (10-3) In rear, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 8, 5l behind Missed A Beat (9-6) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Bold Diktator 11-2 (9-12) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened 1f out, 6th of 7, 7l behind Habshan (10-0) at Warwick 1m hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Missed A Beat 3-1fav (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Favouring (8-6) by 2l, 8 ran.
The Gaikwar (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) In touch and keen, ridden and headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Personify (9-10) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
My Princess (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Prominent, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Paraguay (8-10) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Fasylitator (IRE) 11-2 (9-11) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Bijou Dan (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Tiber Tiger (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Held up, driven well over 2f out, not clear run well over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 7l behind Optimus (9-8) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Ali D 9-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 9l behind Pianoforte (9-0) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
