chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, disputing 2nd but no impression on winner inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd last strides
led until 6f out, chased leader, ridden to challenge and edged left 2f out, driven head high and not keen over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in last pair, smooth headway towards inside over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, driven out
started very slowly, pushed along in rear halfway, some late headway under pressure, never on terms
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in 6th on inside, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leading pair, led 6f out, joined and hung left 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch in 5th, headway on outside 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, disputing 2nd but no chance with winner inside final furlong
Grand veteran Phluke is a must for any shortlist despite a 6lb penalty for beating a decent field of handicappers here last week. Amy Scott offsets most of that impost and the old boy clearly enjoys life here. However, LOVE NEST is an improving three-year-old receiving weight from all rivals and has shown much improved form on the Polytrack this term. The Dunlop inmate was just deprived of a first success last time but can go one better off an attractive mark. Fire King also runs this track well and will enjoy returning to the seaside air after a disappointing effort elsewhere last time. He does need delivering at just the right time though, whilst Ilie Nastase, a slightly unlucky third at Leicester over the weekend, also makes the shortlist.
Phluke 5-1fav (8-10) Maded virtually all, joined and ridden 2f out, stayed on gamely final inside furlong, won at Brighton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun beating Mandhooma (9-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Ilie Nastase (FR) 5-1 (9-12) Keen and tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression until ran on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Fault (10-0) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Fire King 6-1 (9-7) In rear, ridden over 1f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 7l behind Broctune Papa Gio (8-6) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) 28-1 (8-9) Slowly away, in rear until some headway on rails inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 8l behind Hip Hip Hooray (9-6) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Inquisitress 13-2 (9-10) Held up, headway to track leaders halfway, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 13l behind Camberley Two (8-11) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-55 (6) gs in Jun.
Rainsborough 10-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, pushed along mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 5l behind Woolston Ferry (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Vezere (USA) 7-1 (8-9) Raced wide keen, mid-division, weakened 2f out, last of 13, 16l behind Fault (10-0) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Love Nest 11-4fav (8-13) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, led 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Hi Note (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jun.
