held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader to 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, not quicken
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
Dragon Slayer is the recommendation ahead of Press Express and Voice Mail. This is not a strong contest but Dragon Slayer has been cannily campaigned by Michael Attwater and a nominal 3lb rise for a victory at Newmarket does not appear harsh given that the four-year-old could still be open to improvement on turf. Press Express does have the course form and is sure to be a factor. A pleasing reappearance was followed by a rather more modest run so it could be a case of wondering which horse turns up on Saturday. Voice Mail has been well fancied in the past but his recent form has not impressed. Andrew Balding's stable form has been disappointing in recent months and it could be worth waiting until there is evidence of some stable form before getting too heavily involved. Bright Sun could be the one to take them along and is sure to give another honest account. Trifti appears better in bigger sized fields while Gallego is likely to be held up early. Evolution Ex appears not to have trained on from a promising juvenile career. Having considered the alternatives, Dragon Slayer is selected.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Held up, headway when switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Bold Act (9-6) by a shd, 11 ran.
Press Express (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 16l behind Ryan's Future (8-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Evolution Ex (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Held up, never troubled leaders, 9th of 13, 8l behind Corran Ard (9-4) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Voice Mail 4-1fav (9-7) Held up in rear and keen, headway on inside over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, not clear run inside final furlong, not recover, 8th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Personify (8-13) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Bright Sun (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, behind leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 8l behind Folio (9-1) at Ripon 1m 2f hcap (4) gf in Jun.
Gallego 6-1 (9-6) Steadied start, settled in rear, some headway over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 13l behind Ollie George (8-12) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) gd.
Trifti 9-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, soon one pace, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Fajr (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcap (4) pol in May.
