held up, headway well over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
tracked leader until ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, not clear run from over 2f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, just failed
chased leaders, ridden when not clear run just over 1f out, ran on
held up in touch on outside, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
started slowly, outpaced, well behind from halfway
chased leaders, ridden when not clear run, slightly bumped over 2f out, switched right well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders
chased leaders until weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, just held on
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, never near leaders
There is not a lot to choose between most of these with Eisteddfod getting the nod over Boogie Street, Baltic King and Ashdown Express. Eisteddfod has earned a crack at this level following a couple of successes in valuable handicaps and is granted a lot of respect, partly through sentiment as he has served us well this season. Much as Boogie Street and Baltic King are respected, penalties for Listed wins will not make things easy for the talented duo. A repeat of Ashdown Express's Palace House Stakes second in April gives him a big shout, although he seems a little hard to win with these days. That said, it will fall right for him one day. A return to the level of form that saw him win last season's Golden Jubilee Stakes would make Fayr Jag a danger to all, although he's been out of sorts lately, while Jedburgh and If Paradise appear to be just a few pounds below what will be required to win this, but Beckermet would come right into it if repeating his Wokingham Stakes second to Iffraaj, although his subsequent runs leave him with something to prove. Once again, then, the overall vote goes to Eisteddfod.
Baltic King 5-1 (9-4) Raced on outside in mid-division, no impression when bumped over 1f out, last of 13, 14l behind Celtic Mill (9-4) at Sandown 5f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Boogie Street 4-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden and headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 6l behind Resplendent Glory (8-12) at Sandown 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Ashdown Express (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Raced far side, held up, headway and not clear run over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 19, 5l behind Pastoral Pursuits (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Baron's Pit 15-8fav (9-2) Chased leaders near side rail, ridden to lead over 1f out, in command and ran on strongly inside final furlong, won at Kempton 6f stk (C) gs in Apr '04 beating Smokin Beau (9-2) by 2l, 7 ran.
Chookie Heiton (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Held up in touch far side, not much room entering final furlong, stayed on to lead overall until headed close home, 2nd of 16, nk behind Out After Dark (8-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Desert Fantasy (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Slowly away, towards rear, ridden and switched right when headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Sleeping Indian (9-3) at Haydock 7f lst stk (1) gd in Jun.
Fayr Jag (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Raced keenly towards rear, outpaced 2f out, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 12l behind Soldier's Tale (9-2) at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun.
If Paradise 9-1 (9-0) In touch, outpaced 2f out, ridden and switched right 1f out, kept on, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Tournedos (8-9) at Chester 5f lst stk (1) gf.
Jedburgh 8-1 (9-8) In touch, driven to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at York 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun beating King Jock (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 23 ran.
Beckermet (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left and one pace, 4th of 7, 3l behind Traytonic (8-10) at Haydock 6f stk (3) gf.
The Crooked Ring 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders far side group, ridden and edged left well over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 16th of 19, 10l behind Orphan (7-12) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Eisteddfod 5-2fav (9-7) Held up in touch, taken to outside and headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, pushed out final furlong, kept on well, won at Windsor 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun beating Presto Shinko (8-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Yomalo (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Outpaced early, headway over 2f out, every chance 1f out, ran on well final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Leitrim House (9-3) at Salisbury 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
