awkward leaving stalls, started very slowly, in rear, some headway from 2f out, never nearer
towards rear, headway from over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, chased winner after, no impression
behind, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
held up 3rd, joined leader 2f out, every chance over 1f out, edged slightly right entering final furlong, no extra, faded towards finish
held up 4th, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
led until headed over 3f out, stayed chasing leader, lost 2nd over 2f out, hampered entering final furlong and in 5th place, ran on to take 3rd final strides
chased leader, led over 3f out, joined 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
always behind, never a factor, struggling over 2f out
held up, headway on outside to lead over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well inside final furlong, ridden out
mid-division, lost place and under pressure over 3f out, kept on again final furlong, never dangerous
Follow The Colours gets the vote to land the opener at the main expense of Blacktoft and Wee Charlie Castle. Follow The Colours four outings this season have indicated that John Hills charge is steadily returning to something like his three year old form which saw him competitive of a mark in the high 60s. A brief attempt at hurdling was unsuccessful but recent indications are that Follow The Colours could be set to land his first success in two years. Blacktoft ran a very game race when finishing second behind the ridiculously well handicapped Presvis over this course last Friday. He meets nothing of this type here and one thing for certain is that he'll battle when it gets tough up this stiff climb. Wee Charlie Castle finished runner-up in a race of this type last time. His young rider was inconvenienced by the fact he was restricted from using his whip as he could never quite get on terms with the leader. The likely fast pace will suit Wee Charlie Castle although he could be a touch high in the weights, being 10lb higher than his last winning mark. Artreju was likely to be unsuited by the ease in the ground at Windsor last time when surprisingly prominent tactics were applied. Hold-up tactics worked when scoring in an amateur riders event at Newmarket three starts back. Davenport has looked a one paced animal in his recent starts while Prime Number is not the force of old but is well weighted in comparison to his all-weather mark. With plenty front runners in the line up there will be no hanging about and Follow The Colours is the pick.
Blacktoft (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon no chance with easy winner, kept on well to hold 2nd, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Presvis (8-8) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Stargazer Jim (FR) 16-1 (9-0) Close up until weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 12l behind Goodwood Starlight (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Davenport (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Held up, headway 4f out, chased winner 2f out, no extra final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Novestar (8-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Artreju (GER) 11-1 (9-1) Led after 2f, ridden, headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Sam Lord (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Vinces 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, pushed along over 5f out, went 2nd over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 10, 9l behind Goodwood Starlight (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Prime Number (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Led for 1f, prominent, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, 13th of 17, 13l behind Papradon (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Zach's Harmoney (USA) 9-2 (9-4) Led to over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 23l behind Western Roots (8-1) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Follow The Colours (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Pulled hard and mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Western Roots (8-1) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Wee Charlie Castle (IRE) 5-2fav (8-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Dragon Slayer (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (5) gs.
Hucking Heat (IRE) 13-2 (8-7) Held up, headway and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Dragon Slayer (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (5) gs.
