chased leader until over 3f out, ridden every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken near finish
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
keen, held up, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, headway and hampered over 2f out, lost place, ridden and ran on near finish
led over 5f, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up in rear, never nearer
keen, close-up, chased leader over 3f out, ridden and lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened near finish
The vote here goes to Chapter, with the best of his opponents possibly looking to be Raza Cab and Selika. The selection was thought to appreciate the faster underfoot conditions when showing some good battling qualities to land a handicap at Windsor last time. With his confidence on a high, and with the opposition holding many question marks, he is the percentage call. Raza Cab has a fine chance on adjusted official ratings but his best form so far has come on the all-weather. Look At The Stars has so far failed to build on his Haydock maiden win of last season, so looks opposable, while Bouquet has also failed to develop as hoped for during the spring. Selika's form is solid in the mid-60s, which gives her place claims but will not be good enough if the principals run to their best or somewhere near it. The others have a mountain to climb, which returns us to the selection, which is Chapter.
Chapter (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Led after 1f, made rest, driven along from 2f out, hard pressed and held on gamely near finish, won at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in May beating Rawaabet (9-4) by a nk, 14 ran.
Bouquet 7-1 (8-12) Took keen hold and held, effort on inside and keeping on one pace when not clear run inside final 2f, soon eased, 15th of 16, 19l behind Linnet (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp (5) gf.
Look At The Stars (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden halfway, never troubled leaders, 10th of 14, 11l behind Triple Two (9-3) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Raza Cab (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 16l behind Crosspeace (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf in May.
Selika (IRE) 9-4fav (8-7) Dwelt, tracked leaders, headway to lead well over 3f out, ridden and hung right from over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Bessemer (9-12) at Redcar 1m 2f clm (6) gf.
Rhoslan (IRE) 11-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride and always behind, 10th of 12, 15l behind Gavioli (9-4) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Whatatodo 20-1 (8-8) Soon outpaced, 6th of 7, 12l behind Regal Dream (8-11) at Brighton 6f 3yo stk 0-70 (5) frm in May.
Great General (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 15, 18l behind Gallego (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f stk (7) gd in May.
