in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, some headway over 3f out, never dangerous
held up, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, hung right over 1f out, weakened
tracked leader, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
never better than mid-division
held up towards rear, never a clear run on inside from 3f out
slowly into stride, well behind, stayed on well from 2f out, nearest finish
always mid-division
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong
never dangerous
slowly into stride, driven along towards rear, good headway on inner over 3f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on strongly, led close home
held up rear, stayed on final furlong, never on terms
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on outer 3f out, soon ridden, no impression after
in touch on outside, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, no extra when headed close home
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, always towards rear
A fiercely competitive renewal for the feature race of the day and preference is for Heretic while Smirk, Unshakable and Putra Pekan, along with the three-year-olds Adekshan and Lago d'Orta, are the likeliest alternatives. James Fanshawe's five-year-old hasn't been the easiest to train having had just 11 starts during his racing career but is a smart performer when conditions are in his favour as he showed when a close fourth in a Group 2 at Sandown on his return, despite looking as though the run was badly needed beforehand. The Bishop Of Cashel gelding confirmed the merit of the form when a convincing winner of a Doncaster conditions event last time and looks sure to go close with the give in the ground very much in his favour. Smirk took this prize twelve months ago and is better than his latest run at Epsom suggests as he failed to handle the track but he is on an 8lb higher mark this time around so faces no easy task. Putra Pekan has won two valuable handicaps this term at Kempton and Sandown and can't be ruled out with his stable in such good form at present while Unshakable is on the same mark as when just touched off by a well treated rival at Newbury last time and has to enter calculations. Adekshan is a lightly raced type who looks capable of further improvement and will appreciate both the step up in trip and the rain-softened conditions. Lago d'Orta has been well campaigned to win four of his six races this season and could easily run in to a place but Heretic has solid credentials and his turn of foot will be an invaluable weapon in this big field.
