led after 2f, quick and clear over 2f out, heavily eased final 100 yards unchallenged
led for 2f, mostly chased winner after, no impression when ridden and hung left 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leading pair until hard ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders in 4th, headway and switched right 2f out, headed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, effort on inside 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, awakward bend over 7f out, driven and effort on outer over 2f out, soon no impression and weakened over 1f out (Hand timed)
Just seven runners for this classified event but they do appear closely matched. We will take a chance with Bureaucrat, with Nanton and South O'The Border also expected to be involved in the finish. John Gosden's gelding started his career with an excellent effort behind Night Hour over the mile trip here. His two subsequent efforts have been a shade disappointing, however they were on on very soft ground and we may see a better performance on this faster surface. Nanton and South O'The Border both contested a very competitive handicap at Windsor last time won by Oakly Absolute. Nanton was just pipped into second, with South O'The Border a neck back in third. There should again be very little between them, but Nanton does have more scope for improvement. Best of the others should be Turner's Touch, but we expect Bureaucrat to improve on this better ground and he gets the vote.
Bureaucrat 4-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 9l behind Taakeed (9-0) at Ripon 1m 3yo mdn (5) hvy in Apr.
Nanton (USA) 12-1 (9-5) In touch, effort on outside and hard ridden 2f out, drive to lead near finish, caught last stride, 2nd of 20, shd behind Oakley Absolute (8-8) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Primed Up (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, not pace to trouble leaders, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind War At Sea (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3yo mdn (4) gf in May.
Shire (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Always behind, 14th of 20, 13l behind Oakley Absolute (8-8) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
South O'The Border 11-2fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led halfway, ridden and kept on under pressure final furlong, caught near finish, 3rd of 20, nk behind Oakley Absolute (8-8) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Spanish Ridge (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, hung right from well over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened and eased over 1f out, 8th of 9, 27l behind Stage School (8-9) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo stk 0-70 (5) gf.
Turner's Touch 15-2 (8-0) Close up, ridden and every chance 2f out, carried head high and not quicken, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Groomsman (9-0) at Leicester 1m 3yo clm (5) gf in May.
