close up, chased winner 3f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
made all, kept on inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, soon no impression
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace
with leaders, no extra final furlong
in touch, weakened over 1f out
A three-year-old VICTORIA SPONGE is the pick here with First in Command, Baun Again and Memphis Man also on the shortlist. The selection come from the Richard Hannon yard and is in great heart of late. She chases the hat-trick today after impressive wins at Epsom and Goodwood. The filly possesses a decent finishing kick and in this sort of form she's hard to oppose. First In Command notched a comfortable victory at Doncaster last time and has shown previously that he is versatile as far the ground is concerned, so the quickening surface here should pose no obvious problems, but his form prior to this in 2009 makes his recent success somewhat difficult to predict. Baunagain ran a fine race on his return to action last time and only lost out by a hair. It was his first outing since September and the first for his new trainer so there should be more to come from the geling. Memphis Man has a very willing attitude and has put in a couple of great efforts at Windsor recently. This will be a tough test of the six-year-olds ability at this level but he should give a good account. Tudor Prince was a beaten favourite last time and may do best of the remainder here. Victoria Sponge is the pick in a decent looking handicap.
First In Command (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) In touch, led 2f out, hung badly right under pressure and kept on final furlong, won at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun beating Errigal Lad (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Victoria Sponge (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Desert Dreamer (9-5) by 1l, 8 ran.
Baunagain (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Pulled hard, held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, driven inside final furlong, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 11, ns behind River Kirov (9-9) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Memphis Man 8-1 (8-11) Slowly away, in rear, still plenty to do 2f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd final strides, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Blue Jack (9-9) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Koraleva Tectona (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Soon chasing leaders, pushed along over 2f out, driven over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong and lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Wellington Square (9-6) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Golden Destiny (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Started slowly, always rear group, never a factor, 17th of 18, 33l behind Never Lose (9-1) at Newbury 7f (4) gs in May.
Dig Deep (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Behind, driven and headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Sir Nod (8-11) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Haajes 14-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind First In Command (8-7) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Tudor Prince (IRE) 13-8fav (9-9) Towards rear and pushed along, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Bel Cantor (9-7) at Kempton 6f Apprentice Handicap (0-75) (3yo+) (5) pol.
The Happy Hammer (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) In touch, effort 2f out, soon ridden, kept on, not pace to challenge over 1f out, 4th of 13, 10l behind Love Pegasus (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
