outpaced
towards rear, headway on inside from over 1f out to chase leaders but hung left
always going well behind leaders, lengthened to lead inside final furlong, easy
tracked leaders, pulled up 2f out
chased leaders, weakened final furlong
mid-division, some progress and switched left over 1f out, one pace
prominent, weakened quickly over 1f out
chased leaders, weakened approaching final furlong
soon led, ridden when headed inside final furlong, soon held
mid-division, headway on inside and slightly hampered 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, soon held
Efistorm gets the call here ahead of Dig Deep and Westport. Dig Deep caught the eye at Beverley last time and can go well despite the fact that a step up to six furlongs looked the more-preferred option. Total Impact is back to a winning mark from Kempton in April, and can be fancied on that basis. Canadian Danehill now has it to prove from his current mark, while Efistorm got up close home to score at Windsor last time and, with a four-pounds rise not looking unreasonable, he can go well. Rare Breed has now been given a chance by the handicapper, while Westport has scope for further improvement this season. Almaty Express needs to keep the improvement coming and Financial Times would hold a chance based on his course and distance second three runs ago, although his latest two runs have not built on that. Desert Opal also has to build on his best winning efforts, although his win record on the all-weather is pretty good. The top three in the weights will maybe need the run or, in Phantom Whisper's case, need to improve by a couple of pounds if he is to score, while Graze On cannot entirely be ruled out of a place. Overall, though, Efistorm.
Prince Namid 11-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 5l behind Saviours Spirit (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Phantom Whisper 17-2 (8-5) Took keen hold, held up, pushed along halfway, never on terms after, 7th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Lady Livius (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Dig Deep (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 18, 4l behind Pivotal's Princess (9-4) at Beverley 5f hcap (3) gf.
Graze On 3-1fav (8-7) Towards rear, ridden halfway, no impression, 6th of 7, 3l behind Merlin's Dancer (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Total Impact 10-3 (8-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Merlin's Dancer (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Efistorm 7-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, switched out over 1f out, driven and ran on final furlong to lead final 75 yards, won at Windsor 5f hcap (4) gf beating Fromsong (9-4) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Westport 6-1 (8-12) In touch, headway to chase winner final furlong, stayed on, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Blazing Heights (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Nov.
Desert Opal 18-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, led final furlong, kept on, won at Nottingham 5f hcap (5) gf beating No Time (7-11) by a nk, 14 ran.
