Firedanser will appreciate this easier task after making his reappearance in a Class 3 at Haydock, where he finished just behind Polytrack winner Viscount Barfield. King Of Swing has been running well over shorter trips since returning to the Turf but there seems no reason why we should desert PONTY ROYALE, who is only 3lb higher than when scoring over this trip at Carlisle and still looks to be progressing. African Blessing could be anything after making a winning start at Southwell in March, but will find underfoot conditions a lot different here.
Firedanser 20-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Calder Prince (9-7) at Haydock 7f hcp (3) sft in May.
King Of Swing 3-1 (9-7) Soon chasing leaders, one pace when not clear run and switched left over 1f out, soon outpaced, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Secret Clause (8-11) at Nottingham 6f hcp (5) gf in May.
Viscount Barfield 15-2 (8-9) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1l behind Wimpole Hall (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Mon Beau Visage (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Soon led, headed over 2f out, soon edged right, not much room and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Brilliant Vanguard (9-2) at Ripon 6f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Cheeky Angel (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Raced stand side, chased leaders, led group over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 16, 20 1/2l behind Van Gerwen (9-0) at Thirsk 6f hcp (5) gd in May.
African Blessing 13-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on near finish, won at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Silver Bid (10-0) by nk, 13 ran.
Cuppatee (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) In rear, switched right and some headway over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, last of 11, 11 1/2l behind Brilliant Vanguard (9-2) at Ripon 6f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Total Power 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division and keen, pushed along 3f out, weakened quickly and eased over 2f out, tailed off, last of 14, dist behind Outback Blue (9-4) at Windsor 1m hcp (5) gd in May.
Mister Mischief 10-3 (9-5) Towards rear, headway halfway to chase leaders, one pace in 3rd from over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Get Up And Dance (9-0) at Pontefract 6f mdn stks (5) gd in May.
Spice Mill (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway entering final 2f, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 4 1/4l behind Consistant (9-4) at Pontefract 6f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Ponty Royale (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) In touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Carlisle 7f hcp (5) gf in May beating Strummer (9-3) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Miramonte Dancer (IRE) 9-2fav (9-7) In touch, headway 3f out, effort 2f out, ridden to challenge when edged left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 7 3/4l behind Simply Clever (9-2) at Wetherby 1m hcp (6) gd in May.
Oscar Hughes (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Keen tracked leader, ridden 2f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Ponty Royale (8-13) at Carlisle 7f hcp (5) gf in May.
The Knave (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Led, pressed over 3f out, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Briyouni (9-7) at Nottingham 1m hcp (5) gd in May.
