held up towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders entering final furlong, ran on, never reached winner
led, hung left when headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, never dangerous
tracked leaders, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, switched left halfway, kept on under pressure, never troubled leaders
steadied in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never a threat
mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon weakened
chased leaders until halfway
in touch, headway 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, kept on same pace closing stages
always prominent, every chance when hung left over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, stayed on well under pressure
A competitive start to proceedings which sees Kodiac Express aiming to go one better than over course and distance last month. Mike Murphy’s filly wouldn’t be winning out of turn but her strike-rate is off-putting, though she is weighted to reverse Chelmsford running in March with Kion. Formidable Kitt is lightly raced and has been dropped a pound since her fourth at Chester so goes on the short-list but ROCK OF ESTONIA made a winning debut here last spring and won later at Bath. She has her ground again and can be forgiven her comeback run as she missed the break. Magic Pulse remains in good form and Towelrads Boy and Nine Below Zero, who won on this card 12 months ago, should strip fitter for respective reappearances at Kempton and Newmarket. Rumshak has travelled a long way for this and was gelded over the winter so may be open to further improvement.
Nine Below Zero 10-1 (9-1) Held up, weakened 2f out, 13th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Yafta (9-7) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gf in May.
Formidable Kitt 5-1 (8-11) Disputed lead, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Spoof (9-7) at Chester 5f hcp (2) gd in May.
Debutante's Ball (IRE) (8-8) 5th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Good To Talk (8-11) at Maisons-Laffitte 6f stks gs in Nov.
Rumshak (IRE) 28-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 23, 16 1/4l behind Darkanna (8-11) at Redcar 6f lst (1) gs in Oct.
Grandfather Tom 50-1 (8-8) Close up when groups merged halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 11, 13 1/4l behind Tribal Quest (9-1) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gd in May.
Kion (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Mid-division, under pressure well over 1f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 19 3/4l behind Diamond Dougal (9-1) at Bath 6f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Rock of Estonia (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 7th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Tricksy Spirit (9-3) at Bath 6f hcp (4) gf in May.
Towelrads Boy (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Chagatai (9-8) at Kempton 6f stks (4) pol in Apr.
Magic Pulse (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 6, 1/4l behind Seen The Lyte (9-7) at Carlisle 5f hcp fll (4) gf in May.
Iconic Knight (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, never on terms, 14th of 17, 12 1/2l behind Beyond Equal (8-12) at Salisbury 6f hcp (5) gf in May.
Kodiac Express (IRE) 4-1cfav (9-8) Led, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Spring Romance (9-2) at Windsor 5f hcp (5) gf in May.
