held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner 1f out, took narrow lead well inside final furlong, headed close home
soon led, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed narrowly well inside final furlong, battled back to regain lead close home
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden and rider dropped whip well over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on front pair
prominent, pulled hard, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
pressed winner, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, no extra inside final furlong
held up, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased
Withdrawn
PLAY IT SAM has been brought along steadily by Walter Swinburn and that can pay dividends here, while Desert Hunter and Betteras Bertie look short-list material. The selection has put in two tidy enough efforts over this sort of trip at Windsor of late, but this stiff Pontefract circuit can help to elicit some improvement, given the stamina in evidence on his dam's side. He has raced only on good ground or quicker to far, therefore needing to prove himself if it does rain, but with many others exposed we will suggest him. Desert Hunter has two-and-a-half lengths to find with Betteras Bertie from their running over course and distance last month and is now 5lbs better off, so there should be little to choose between them. Ours is more than capable from this mark and over this trip, but tends to save his best for Wolverhampton and in a competitive contest we will oppose. Veronicas Boy showed signs of a return to form at Ripon and this stiff track should suit over a mile, so watch for any market moves, while Intersky Charm is decent in the context of this grade but tricky to catch right, and he may well have already done his winning for the season. Play It Sam is the suggestion.
Ours (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Took keen hold behind leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 9, 4l behind Bold Cross (9-3) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Play It Sam 3-1fav (9-2) Behind, steady headway 2f out, on outside, driven over 1f out, kept on, not reached leaders, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Hip Hip Hooray (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Distant Pleasure 13-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 7l behind Aggbag (8-4) at Warwick 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.
Hypnotic Gaze (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Prominent, ridden and hung left just over 1f out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 9l behind Royal Executioner (9-7) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Desert Hunter (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Betteras Bertie (9-4) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Veronicas Boy 12-1 (8-10) Chased leader, led 2f out, soon headed, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Montiboli (9-9) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Poca A Poca (IRE) 80-1 (9-2) Awkward leaving stalls, mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and no further impression, 5th of 13, 8l behind Royal Superlative (8-8) at Chepstow 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Scotch And Soda (IRE) 3-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced when edged left over 1f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 12l behind Laura's Lady (8-12) at Redcar 6f fll mdn stks (5) fm in May.
King of The Moors (USA) 9-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, reminders over 4f out, never able to challenge, 9th of 15, 9l behind West End Lad (9-9) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Hartshead 16-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 23, 12l behind Charlie Tipple (8-9) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd in Oct.
We're Delighted 15-2 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 6, 5l behind Traphalgar (9-6) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Betteras Bertie 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride and behind, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun beating Desert Hunter (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Intersky Charm (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, challenged over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Mount Hadley (9-10) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
