led 1f, chased leader, led 4f out, ridden over 2f out, clear over 1f out, easily
chased leader, led 6f out, headed 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
started slowly, pushed along in touch, headway on outer, 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon edged left and ran green, no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out soon outpaced
Only six line up here, with Top Seed holding all the aces against Mark Johnston's newcomer Just A Fluke and Tim Easterby's Wing Collar. Mick Channon will be confident that he has placed Top Seed to good effect this time after the colt's efforts at Newbury behind Desert Dreamer and when third to Sgt Pepper at Salisbury. The fast ground will suit this son of Cadeaux Genereux who should now have too much experience for his five rivals. Wing Collar comes from a stable in form but was behind Channon's Naaddey here on his debut so the selection's stable have a form-line to work on. A bigger danger therefore may be Just A Fluke whose Middleham yard has been sending out a steady stream of top juveniles. The son of Darshaan has a host of big-race entries, including next year's Vodafone Derby and will pay to follow. On this occasion though he might have to give best to Top Seed.
