tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened after next, tailed off
held up in rear, pulled hard, not fluent 1st, something amiss and pulled up before 3 out
held up in 5th, not fluent 3rd, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up in rear, bumped 1st, not fluent 6th, headway after next, chased winner before 2 out, no impression
tracked leader, led 7th, clear approaching 2 out, ridden out
led, mistake and headed 7th, hit 3 out, weakened last
Morning Farewell looked on the way back when runner-up to Laudatory at Towcester and shouldn't be far away here. But SPIRIT IS NEEDED has a stronger overall profile and finished a long way ahead of Bill Clay's gelding when second in a handicap over 2m here in April. Despite disappointing on his latest start over C&D, the five-year-old is the one to beat today. Stablemate Consult looks modest, while Baraathen isn't really progressing and was beaten in a seller here last month. Half Mast still has a bit of scope, however, and should do better once he learns to settle.
Dont Forget Bob (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Made most until 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Oasis Knight (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Half Mast (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, closer order 5th, 4th and outpaced approaching 2 out, 4th of 6, 17l behind Mike Towey (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Mezarat (ITY) 7-2 (9-11) In touch, led over 2f out, ridden and edged right 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Traphalgar (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Nov (flat).
Morning Farewell 16-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden 3 out, 3rd and beaten before 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd post, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Laudatory (11-0) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in May.
Spirit Is Needed (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th or 6th, 2nd when dived at 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Moorlands Jack (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Baraathen (USA) 7-1 (10-5) In touch, led 2nd, headed when hit 3 out, ridden and one pace in clear 3rd next, kept on under pressure flat, just failed for 2nd, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Baccalaureate (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m cond sll hdl (5) gf in May.
Consult 66-1 (10-10) In touch in mid-division, headway after 4th, jumped slowly next, mistake and stuggling 6th, tailed off, 5th of 12, well behind Betavix (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd.
