soon chasing leaders, led and edged right 1f out, ridden and hung badly right well inside final furlong, headed last stride
led after 1f, ridden and headed 1f out, soon slightly hampered, no extra
mid-division, raced keenly, headway and hung left over 1f out, running on well when carried right towards finish, led last stride
chased leaders, beaten over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, lost place 2f out, no chance when eased well inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
always in rear
outpaced in rear, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, no chance with front pair
led 1f, chased leader until hung left well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
The trio for the shortlist are NORTHERN EMPIRE, Harry Up and Spic 'n Span and the vote goes to Northern Empire. The selection has been in good form of late and he looks worth another chance back in this grade. He has the best of the draw and if he can maintain his recent form he should go close. The draw is a massive negative for Harry Up as he is at his best when he is allowed to dictate and that will not be easy from stall 12. Spic 'n Span has a good draw and he will be suited by the return to the all-weather after a couple of disappointing efforts on the turf. He missed the break at Chepstow last week and if he can get out on terms he might be good enough to claim some prize money. Know No Fear is better than he showed at Ripon last time but he does have a few questions to answer at present. Northern Empire makes most appeal and gets the vote.
Northern Empire (IRE) 5-2fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Cayman Fox (8-7) at Hamilton 5f clm stks (6) gd.
Spic 'n Span 5-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, headway over 3f out, ridden and no further impression, 10th of 12, 7l behind Solemn (8-13) at Chepstow 5f clm stks (6) gd.
Bertbrand 20-1 (9-4) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, soon no extra, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Great Knight (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Decider (USA) 9-1 (9-2) Pressed leader after 1f, effort and every chance from over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Weet A Surprise (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol.
Know No Fear 5-2fav (9-7) Bumped at start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 16, 6l behind Bright Falcon (9-2) at Ripon 6f app sell stks (6) gd.
Russian Rocket (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, under pressure 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Calmdownmate (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in May.
Tag Team (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 15, 16l behind Argentine (11-8) at Hamilton 6f (6) gf.
Woqoodd 18-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 8l behind Foreign Rhythm (8-10) at Beverley 5f Apprentice Handicap (0-55) (3yo+) (6) gf.
Diane's Choice 12-1 (9-2) Always in rear, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Feelin Foxy (9-11) at Lingfield 5f (5) gf.
Pressed For Time (IRE) 18-1 (9-1) Chased leaders stand's side group, weakened over 1f out, last of 16, 22l behind Baby Queen (8-11) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Harry Up 7-1 (9-1) Led, ridden 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 4l behind Artistic License (9-9) at Bath 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fm.
Meikle Barfil 33-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, effort and edged right over 1f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 12l behind Foreign Rhythm (8-10) at Beverley 5f Apprentice Handicap (0-55) (3yo+) (6) gf.
Fire Up The Band 40-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Cayman Fox (8-7) at Hamilton 5f clm stks (6) gd.
