tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly away, always behind
held up, headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, soon switched inside, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
held up, headway to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, one pace
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, stayed on inside final furlong
led and took keen hold, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Gongidas has missed a couple of recent engagements however if he races here he gets the vote ahead of Blue Monkey. The selection made hard work of winning at Windsor when last seen and drifted markedly left in the closing stages. He may not be straightforward but he looks the type to keep on improving and he will need to to defy this mark of 84 on his handicap debut. However his various relations all seem effective on soft ground so with conditions presumably not a worry, he can win again. Blue Monkey is holding his form well and Michael Bell's colt is already a winner on heavy ground. Further rain therefore would presumably not be a problem, and he must be rated as the main danger if the favourite fails to act. Wheels In Motion ran fairly well behind the useful Champfleurie at Newcastle last time, whilst Nuit Sombre has experience on his side but is better on quicker ground. At a price The Osteopath could run into a place, however Gongidas is of most interest and gets the nomination.
Rebellious Spirit 25-1 (9-0) Led for 1f, chased leader to over 2f out, weakened rapidly, last of 11, 35l behind Ballinteni (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Mid-division, effort when not much room and switched left 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Harvest Warrior (8-9) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) hvy.
Gongidas 1-5fav (9-3) Close up, ridden 2f out, ran green and hung left over 1f out, driven out final furlong, just held on, won at Windsor 1m 3yo mdn aut (5) gd in Jun beating Cactus Rose (9-0) by a shd, 14 ran.
The Osteopath (IRE) 4-1fav (9-13) Towards rear, ridden along halfway, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Skyelady (9-5) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Wheels In Motion (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, soon dropped rear, ridden and headway 2f out, chased winner final furlong, soon edged left one pace, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Champfleurie (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Blue Monkey (IRE) 7-2 (8-7) Mid-division, headway to lead centre group 2f out, stayed on under pressure, headed entering final furlong, soon outpaced, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Mark of Love (7-10) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (4) hvy.
Pawn In Life (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Dwelt, headway on inside halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Steel Grey (9-0) at Southwell 7f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Mar.
Copper King 14-1 (7-11) Held up towards rear, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 19l behind Lovelace (8-4) at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
