led, ridden and headed 2 out, beaten last, one pace
tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, mistake and led 2 out, clear flat, comfortably
slowly away, took keen hold, chased clear leading pair after 1st until weakened 3 out, pulled up after
held up, went 3rd 3 out, no chance with leaders
The penny has dropped with Life And Soul, who was completing his hat-trick when justifying short odds at Kelso, but SAINT ROQUE is impossible to oppose in this on recent form. He has won handicaps at Fontwell and Worcester recently without being asked a serious question and should score again back against novices. Kim Tian Road is no slouch and won twice at Exeter in the spring but another step up would be needed for him to extend his winning run here. Port Hill was only beaten half-a-length at Fontwell on his return to action but will find easier opportunities in the future.
Life And Soul (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Made all, soon clear, ridden run-in, kept on well, unchallenged, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Potomac (10-12) by 3l, 8 ran.
Saint Roque (FR) 11-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 7th, led after 3 out, clear approaching last, very easily, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd beating Dolatulo (11-5) by 14l, 11 ran.
Kim Tian Road (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway and in touch on outside 4th, challenged 3 out, led before next, clear last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr beating Residence And Spa (9-11) by 9l, 10 ran.
Port Hill 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, led last, kept on and headed close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Jack By The Hedge (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gs in May.
