prominent, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, soon one pace
prominent, ridden and led halfway, headed inside final furlong, weakened close home
led until halfway, soon beaten
behind, soon outpaced, ridden over halfway, headway from over 1f out to lead inside final furlong, driven out
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon tailed off
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace under pressure inside final furlong
always behind
This should not take a great deal of winning and only a few have a realistic chance with preference for Fire Up The Band, who gets the vote over Highland Warrior and High Reach. The last mentioned ran better in this grade at Windsor last time and John O'Shea's gelding has to be respected on that effort. Welcome Approach is not as good as he once was and now takes a drop into a seller for the first time so has to be considered. Highland Warrior is also dropped into the grade for the first time and has been running creditably in handicaps of late so has solid claims. Alan Berry has his string in good form at present so Throw The Dice is worthy of a mention but stable companion Fire Up The Band has more solid claims and he is taken to gain a deserved success having been running well in similar contests of late.
Fire Up The Band 7-2 (9-10) With winner, ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Whinhill House (9-4) at Musselburgh 5f sll (6) gf in Jun.
High Reach 11-1 (9-8) Took keen hold, chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, chased winner after but no impression, held on for 2nd, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Game Lady (8-12) at Windsor 6f sll (6) gf in Jun.
Compton Lad 150-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 13l behind Rio Sands (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f mdn stk (5) gf in May.
Highland Warrior 7-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden halfway, stayed on from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 4l behind Angus Newz (9-13) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jun.
Howards Prince 150-1 (8-13) Behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 13, 12l behind Whinhill House (9-4) at Musselburgh 5f sll (6) gf in Jun.
One Trick Pony 33-1 (8-11) Always towards rear stands side group, last of 16, 28l behind Damika (9-0) at Newcastle 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May '06.
Percy Douglas 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakend, 7th of 11, 9l behind Hurricane Hen (9-4) at W'hampton 5f sll (6) pol in Jun.
Valiant Romeo 11-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 9l behind Kings College Boy (9-11) at Beverley 5f app hcp (6) gf in Jun.
La Guancha 33-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, no impression when not much room over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 9l behind Speedy Senorita (9-11) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo app hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Sokoke 125-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 19l behind Invincible Lad (8-8) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Throw The Dice 25-1 (8-6) With leaders, ridden halfway, soon lost place, last of 9, 15l behind Mandurah (9-8) at Haydock 5f app hcp (5) gd.
Welcome Approach 15-2 (8-12) Always behind, not much room entering final furlong, no impression after, 11th of 12, 6l behind Raccoon (9-7) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
