led, soon clear, headed well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on outer halfway, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, tracked leaders 4f out, led on bit well over 2f out, drew clear from over 1f out
tracked leaders, reminder over 5f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division and keen, chased leaders over 6f out, weakened 3f out
held up mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, kept on from over 2f out, no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along 5f out, weakened 3f out
held up in touch and keen, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
held up, chased leaders approaching 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
It's often hard to win a bumper under a penalty so while we respect Bachelor Lad we'll oppose him in favour of BATTLE GROUP with Sunset Rock looking the most interesting newcomer. More was expected from our selection on his debut when he was a beaten favourite. Nevertheless his fourth place was a solid enough to suggest there's more in store and with the form being franked he looks the percentage call. Bachelor Lad only just got home on his first foray into racing suggesting his penalty might be prohibitive. That said the form has been well advertised by the third placed horse and he is entitled to improve. Sunset Rock will likely been seen to better effect once taking on obstacles with his relations showing only poor bumper form. However there are enough winners in the family to suggest a challenge on his debut. Also making his public bow is Bawnrock who ideally will want a bigger test of stamina but again has enough in his bloodline to suggest a solid first run but with form in the book we like Battle Group.
Bachelor Lad (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Made all, challenged 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Down Royal 2m N H flat gf in Jun beating Benefit Evening (10-7) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Scotch Warrior 9-2 (11-7) Lost tch 12; to & pu 3 out, in a race won by Risk Assesment (12-0) at Mosshouses 3m ptp in May, 11 ran.
Battle Group 3-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway halfway, tracking leaders 2f out, swerved badly left over 1f out, kept hanging left, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 10l behind Pure Faith (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Bawnrock (IRE) Bold Fact gelding out of Drumuary Lady.
Rosie Larkin (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Close up on outside, effort 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 25l behind Paint The Clouds (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gf in Jun.
Sunset Song Supreme Sound mare out of Cudder Or Shudder.
Thistledown Rose 125-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, pushed along after halfway, weakened over 3f out, last of 7, well behind Now This Is It (11-6) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gf.
Finellas Fortune Elmaamul filly out of Fortune's Filly.
Mary Money 25-1 (10-9) Towards rear, closer in moderate 9th over 4f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 8th of 14, well behind Dear Sam (11-7) at Sligo 2m 4yo nhf hvy in May.
