held up, pushed along and steady headway on outside from 3f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, kept on well, until headed final strides
led at steady pace, headed and hampered on rail 7f out, stayed prominent in chasing group, pushed along 3f out, closed 2f out, no extra final 1f
held up in last pair, ridden 3f out, soon struggling
took keen hold, held up, pulled way up to lead 7f out, and crossed to rail, strong pace, clear halfway, reduced lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
prominent in chasing group, went 2nd 3f out, weakened 2f out
close up in chasing group, pushed along over 3f out, plugged on to take modest 3rd inside final furlong
slowly into stride, briefly flashed tail, took keen hold, soon close up in chasing group, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
held up in last pair, steady headway on outside from 3f out, chased leader final 1f, stayed on to lead final strides
slowly into stride, keen hold early, held up, pushed along on inside, and no impression final 2f
Jo'burg is not the easiest of rides so we'll look to take him on with ENSNARE although Mega Watt could be interesting. Lady Herries' charge has been in good form but is still well handicapped judged by his juvenile form and he has won for an amateur rider recently but I'd still rather take him on at a short price. Ensnare is the obvious default option as he comes here in search of a hat-trick; with just 5lbs more to carry for his Ayr win (his first run since January) he looks to have excellent claims of completing it. The slight question mark is the longer trip but his dam is related to a ten furlong winner and he wasn't stopping over nine in Scotland. Mega Watt has a top apprentice booked and sports cheekpieces for the first time; his yard has endured a torrid season but this horse has the ability to win this contest and can't be ignored. Shesha Bear bounced back to form in first time blinkers at Epsom and may be able to build on that, Sahara Sunshine showed her first signs of form for her new yard but drops back in trip whilst Ross Moor and Faith And Reason come into the race on the back of poor efforts. That certainly isn't the case with the selection, Ensnare.
Jo'burg (USA) 3-1fav (9-7) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway and gradually switched to outer over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, pushed along and quickened to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Mount Hermon (9-7) by 1l, 15 ran.
Mega Watt (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Started very slowly, rapid headway and went prominent 8f out, pushed along 4f out, weakend 3f out, eased when no chance over 1f out, 12th of 13, well behind Dakiyah (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
Paint The Town Red 13-2 (8-7) Tracked leader, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 10l behind Valmari (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
By Command 14-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Shaloo Diamond (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Ensnare 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Diamond Lass (8-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Shesha Bear 8-1 (8-12) Awkward start, held up, headway to track leaders halfway, ridden over 3f out, ran on well towards finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Constant Cheers (9-10) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f app hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Sahara Sunshine 16-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Where's Susie (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 3f fll hcp (5) std.
Ross Moor 8-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 8, well behind Bollin Greta (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Faith And Reason (USA) 17-2 (9-2) Held up in last place, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, last of 7, 8l behind Cwm Rhondda (9-10) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
