chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened approaching 1f out
led, headed halfway, ridden, kept on
soon pushed along towards rear, ran on final furlong, not reached leaders
chased leader, led halfway, ridden out
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, ridden, weakened over 1f out
soon outpaced
mid-division, ridden, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden, weakened well over 1f out
dwelt, soon pushed along, never nearer
in rear, soon outpaced
slowly into stride, soon outpaced
mid-division, ridden halfway, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on one pace final furlong
Sharp Hat can beat Laurel Dawn, with Valiant Romeo and Estoille perhaps best of the remainder. This is a very poor contest, and the two with recent winning form to their names may be the ones to fight out the finish. Sharp Hat is just preferred, although at the age of 12 there is certainly no improvement to come. Then again, David Chapman's veteran would not have to find much to beat this lot, and another course-and-distance success could be coming his way. Laurel Dawn gained his first win in two years when scoring decisively in similar grade to this the time before last, but was then beaten over six furlongs at Wolverhampton. Back here, he is the other for the short-list. Valiant Romeo is better treated than on Turf and will be a threat if allowed to get into the lead early, while Estoille, drawn in stall one, looks best of the remainder. With age no bar, we return to Sharp Hat as the pick.
Laurel Dawn 14-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and headed final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Misty Princess (8-13) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Sharp Hat 20-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 12, 2l behind Geojimali (9-2) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Estoille 25-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace, no impression, 7th of 12, 5l behind Muktasb (8-13) at W'hampton 5f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Eternally 10-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 11th of 13, 8l behind Compton Classic (8-12) at W'hampton 5f banded stk (7) std in Apr.
Valiant Romeo 9-1 (9-0) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 10l behind Muktasb (8-13) at W'hampton 5f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Miss Mujahid Times 33-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, soon pushed along, kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Tombalina (8-3) at Southwell 5f mdn auc (7) fbs in Dec.
Goodbye Girl (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Led to over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 13l behind Pressure Putt (9-4) at Brighton 7f 3yo hcp (5) frm in Apr.
Shopfitter 33-1 (9-0) Pressed leaders, driven to lead briefly halfway, headed and soon beaten, 6th of 9, 15l behind Rondo (9-0) at Thirsk 6f mdn aut stk (5) gs in Apr.
