held up, chased leaders 3 out, led approaching next, headed after last, kept on
led and pulled hard, headed after 3 out, ridden and weakened from last
tracked leaders, kept on same pace from last
with leader, led after 3 out, headed approaching next, no extra from last
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, led flat, kept on well
held up in touch, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, kept on from last
held up in rear, chased leaders approaching 2 out, weakened last
OVERSTRAND has won here in the past and gets the verdict with close competition expected to come from English City and Hippodrome. The selection ran his best race for a while when third at Bangor last month and, racing off the same mark last time, once again showed that he can still be competitive at this level. English City finished strongly last time after a terrible start and managed to finish in third. The six-year-old already has plenty of experience and won over course and distance this time last year so should be there or thereabouts at the post. John Harris' Hippodrome has been in good heart of late. He looked to be regaining some sort of form when runner up when last over course and distance three starts ago and he followed up with a win Towcester. He's only moderate but should continue to pay his way at this level. Lawgiver ran as well as he ever has last time and although he's not a prolific winner he looks a capable sort and should be challenging for the minors. The market will prove an invaluable guide to the rest, so for us Overstrand gets the nod.
Mister Benedictine 14-1 (10-13) In touch, every chance approaching 3 out, weakening when fell 2 out, in a race won by Oceana Gold (11-9) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May, 13 ran.
Atticus Boy (USA) 11-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Kristiansand (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 1f beg chase (4) gd in Jul, 10 ran.
English City (IRE) 11-4 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one paced, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Los Nadis (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Overstrand (IRE) 3-1 (10-4) Always prominent, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Ship's Hill (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden after 7th, plugged on from 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, never threatened, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Quaddick Lake (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr.
Lawgiver (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, challenged last, stayed on flat, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Newgate (10-9) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Patavium (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Held up and keen, headway approaching 3 out, weakened after next, 7th of 10, well behind Currahee (11-3) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May.
Hippodrome (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 5th, 7th after 3 out, challenged 2 out, not much room last, led flat, edged left and headed towards finish, ran on, 2nd of 9, hd behind Cove Mountain (10-13) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Phoenix Eye 7-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, mistake 4th, headway after 13th, never reached leaders and well beaten before last, 7th of 11, 21l behind Dead Or Alive (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in May.
