held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on under pressure
held up and keen, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 1f out, challenging and every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish
held up, headway 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, weakened over 2 f out
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
DESERT CREEK is fancied to get his career back on track at the main expense of Peking Prince and Fullback. The selection promised to be one of the most exciting handicappers of the season when following up his Windsor success with a resounding victory of the Haydock Silver Bowl in the mud. His eclipse at the Royal meeting needs to be forgiven but that clearly wasn't his running and he's worth another chance in this company. Pride Of Kings battled on really well to repel the challenge of Flipando at Haydock and it's never easy to ascertain when the Johnston handicappers have reached the peak of their ability but he needs to pull out more again in this contest. Espiritu went close in the Brittania when Desert Creek flopped but he, too, flopped at this track last time. That's a concern given that he'd shown the odd wayward tendency in the past but he may be worth chancing at a price. Loch Linnhe ran a solid race in a conditions race and is clearly deemed better than a handicapper having run in the Jersey on his second start but his ambitious campaign has left him on a lofty mark and he faces no easy task. Similar remarks apply to Sri Putra whose last three runs have been in Pattern company and there may be more mileage in siding with Weald Park, Peking Prince, Fullback or Roar Of Applause. The latter needs to pull out a little more for the headgear and the former to recapture his form but Fullback comes here on the back of a seasonal best and Peking Prince is getting better with every run and could be sharpened up by a visor. We are, however, going to stay loyal to Desert Creek.
Sri Putra 3-1 (9-2) 5th of 3, 9l behind Irian (9-2) at Cologne(GER) 1m 3yo Grp 2 in May.
Loch Linnhe (USA) 5-2 (8-12) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, ridden and soon every chance, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Spring Of Fame (8-12) at Newmarket 1m con stks (2) gd.
Espiritu (FR) 3-1fav (9-6) Held up, never dangerous, last of 10, 21l behind Secret Society (9-5) at Ascot 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Desert Creek (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Raced far side, held up, headway 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out, 21st of 30, 13l behind Fareer (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Weald Park (USA) 16-1 (9-6) In touch to over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 19l behind Aqwaal (8-8) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in May.
Tudor Key (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Narrow lead to 5f out, stayed in 2nd, ridden to challenge from 2f out, upsides throughout final furlong, driven ahead last stride, won at Lingfield 1m stks 0-90 (3) pol beating Film Set (8-9) by shd, 8 ran.
Fullback (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, faded close home, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind King Of Dixie (9-12) at Lingfield 1m stks (3yo+) (2) pol in May.
Pride of Kings 10-11fav (8-6) Tracked leader, led inside final 3f, ridden over 1f out, soon edging left, ran on and always just in command, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) fm beating Flipando (10-0) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Johnmanderville 9-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on until headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 5, nk behind Yirga (9-4) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Peking Prince 9-4fav (8-2) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Firebet (9-7) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Roar of Applause 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division on outer, pushed along 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 12, 8l behind Elliptical (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
