held up 4th, chased leader over 2f out, led just over 1f out, ran on under pressure, all out
tracked leaders, stayed on to chase winner and effort well inside final furlong, always just held towards finish
held up in rear, effort to chase leaders over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, no impression and eased inside final furlong
led for over 1f, tracked leader afterwards, led again 3f out, headed just over 1f out, one pace and lost 3rd near finish
started slowly, towards rear, headway over 1f out on inner, closed on leaders inside final furlong, took 3rd near finish
slowly into stride, led after 1f, ridden and headed 3f out, kept on until weakened from 2f out
A 4lb rise does not look enough to stop Mr Aviator, who was a ready scorer over the track last time, while chief rival should prove to be Watamu, and Pinch Of Salt can go well. The selection races over his optimum trip of 10 furlongs and was a ready c&d scorer here last time, adding to an earlier win at Kempton in March. The extra few pounds rise should not be enough to prevent him making it three wins from his last four starts. Watamu was a c&d scorer in March when easily accounting for 11 opponents in a decent enough handicap. Well beaten next time in a stronger race and going right-handed at Kempton, he returned to form over 12f here a month ago and looks one to catch while he is in the mood. Pinch Of Salt is respected from a good yard, but the suspicion is that he wants further than this to be seen to best effect, while Mafeking may be a better proposition with trip and track to suit and a competitive mark, if he is over a poor run when last seen out in January. Ladies Best and Samarinda are not totally out of it either, but Mr Aviator gets the vote.
Watamu (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Pulled hard towards rear, headway over 3f out, hard ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr beating Paktolos (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mr Aviator (USA) 4-6fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, going well 2f out, quickened to lead entering final furlong, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr beating Luberon (9-4) by 1l, 6 ran.
Ladies Best 13-2 (8-13) Mid-division, headway on inner over 2f out, ridden when hampered soon after, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 17, 13l behind Buccellati (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Oct.
Samarinda (USA) 33-1 (9-9) Raced stand side, mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon no impression, 15th of 21, well behind Don't Panic (9-8) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Pinch of Salt (IRE) 5-2 (9-3) Held up rear, good headway and edged right 2f out, led well over 1f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Celtic Spirit (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Mafeking (UAE) 10-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, last of 12, well behind Silver Pivotal (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
