keen raced wide held up, ridden and outpaced over 1f out
keen close up, headway to press leaders over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and no impression 2f out, weakened final furlong
set steady pace, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
keen tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace and lost 2 places towards finish
refused to race
in touch in rear, ridden and switched left 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
NonRunner
NonRunner
FLOOD DEFENCE has found form quite impressively after a modest reappearance and her narrow success at Doncaster recently suggests that she should be a prime contender here as she moves into all-aged handicaps. There has to be a concern that she has yet to encounter ground this quick but she's going the right way and will hopefully handle conditions. Poor Duke suddenly rediscovered form here last month and is now 4lb higher but that was rather a bolt from the blue and he's not sure to repeat the dose. He is an obvious player if able to do so. Ad Vitam seems best at Newcastle at present and Miss Osier could prove a more interesting one in first-time cheekpieces as some of her earlier form reads quite well in the context of this race. Scent Of Power and Sandy Shores have place claims.
Ad Vitam (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never a factor, 11th of 16, 6 3/4l behind Gin In The Inn (9-6) at Redcar 6f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
African Trader (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Himalayan Queen (9-4) at Yarmouth 7f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Poor Duke (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Made all, strongly challenged from well over 2f out, stayed on strongly closing stages, won at Leicester 7f hcp (6) gs in Jun beating Tidal's Baby (9-6) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Sandy Shores 10-1 (9-2) Led 2f, chased leaders, weakened quickly 3f out, last of 9, 21l behind African (9-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Miss Osier 5-2 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, last of 5, 6 1/2l behind I'm Running Late (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in May.
Scent Of Power 14-1 (8-9) Raced wide in touch, headway to track leader over 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Hope Against Hope (8-12) at Leicester 1m hcp fll (5) gd in Jun.
Bold Grove 12-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 15 1/4l behind Castlerea Tess (9-10) at Chepstow 6f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Clever Lady (IRE) 28-1 (8-2) Chased leader until 2f out, chasing leaders when hampered over 1f out, switched left and kept on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten, 6th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Showmethewayavrilo (9-12) at Chepstow 6f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Flood Defence (IRE) 5-1fav (8-11) Held up towards rear, switched right and steady headway near side of group over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Doncaster 1m hcp (5) sft in Jun beating Rosy Ryan (8-11) by nk, 14 ran.
Life Of Luxury 5-1 (9-10) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Zebelini (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Tawfeer 40-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Sadieroseclifford (8-11) at Yarmouth 6f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
