tracked leaders, chased winner 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, lost 2nd post
soon led, headed 10f out, led again 5f out until 4f out, led 3f out, all out
slowly into stride, behind and not going well, pulled up 10f out
held up in touch, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, hung left and one pace inside final furlong
prominent early, held up, pushed along over 3f out, switched right 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, edged left when taking 2nd post
tracked leader, took keen hold, led 10f out, ran slightly wide and headed 5f out, led again 4f out until 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, effort on inside over 2f out, one pace 1f out
Birdwatcher is chasing a hat-trick after a couple of wins at Wolverhampton but this longer trip could be a problem and it remains to be seen if he can reproduce his best form on turf. Szabo's Destiny warrants respect after getting off the mark over 1m4f at Pontefract, though he's closely matched with Birdwatcher on earlier running on the Polytrack. Bow River Arch looks as though he'll be suited by a test of stamina but preference is for VELOCE, who showed enough on his reappearance to suggest he will do better now going handicapping and is out of a mare who stayed extremely well.
Bow River Arch (USA) 11-4 (9-3) Soon led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 2 1/4l behind First Battalion (9-6) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Szabo's Destiny 12-1 (8-13) Made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on and hung right last 50 yards, won at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr beating Prince Freddie (9-2) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Birdwatcher (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Not much room after start, headway to chase leader after 2f, ridden to lead over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr beating Polly Holder (8-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Cuban Piece (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 19l behind Dubai Glory (8-12) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Veloce (IRE) 22-1 (8-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Mezyaad (8-10) at Leicester 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Apr.
Blade Pirate 28-1 (8-7) Chased leaders on inside, driven over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, last of 5, 11l behind Local Diktator (8-11) at Southwell 6f 3yo clm stks (6) fbs in Jan.
Ocean's Dream Day (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Led, headed well over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 7, well behind Watered Silk (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
