Manton Grange was raised 5lb for a first career victory at Leicester but that seems fair and he is one of the leading candidates in a race that probably won’t take much winning. SHIFTING STAR has already won three times here, however, and John Bridger’s veteran continues to defy the years. He’s won on Polytrack and at Brighton this year and another big run is anticipated. The Salmon Man was knocking on the door on Polytrack at the end of last year but remains winless and is having his first run since December.
Ready (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Mr Red Clubs (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (6) pol in Mar.
Manton Grange 5-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Leicester 7f hcp (5) gs in Jun beating Flyboy (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Udogo 8-1 (11-12) Prominent early before soon settling behind leaders, dropped to 6th halfway, ridden and no impression in 7th from 2 out, 9th of 16, dist behind Hidden Charmer (11-4) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mdn gd in Apr.
Ogbourne Downs 28-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Afjaan (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Venutius 11-1 (9-3) Led 1f, tracked leader until 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 9 1/4l behind Art Echo (8-12) at Newmarket 7f hcp (4) sft in May.
Fit For The Job (IRE) 9-2fav (9-6) Close up, ridden when weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 17 1/2l behind Roman De Brut (9-2) at Chepstow 1m hcp (5) gs in May.
The Salmon Man 1-2fav (9-8) Raced wide, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, ridden to lead narrowly 2f out, headed inside final furlong, driven and unable to quicken towards finish, 2nd of 4, shd behind Sunshineandbubbles (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stks (6) pol in Dec.
Shifting Star (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Led, narrowly headed entering final furlong, chased leaders and kept on gamely until not much room weakened and eased towards finish, last of 4, 1 1/2l behind Galinthias (9-5) at Brighton 1m hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Tarseekh 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 31 3/4l behind Strictly Art (10-2) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
