Reporter: Simon Rowlands
Not the easiest form to make sense of, Djelo highly impressive in victory but his rivals probably below form to varying degrees, while there is little to go on in terms of time, this one of just 2 chases on the card (and the other taking place at much further). That said, it was a reasonable test in the conditions, with the winner’s on-screen final 4f of 59.43s equal to a finishing speed of 104.1%.
DJELO (c159+6 here, 153 previously) looks an improved performer this term, whatever the precise merit of this win, and followed up a promising/eye-catching second in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter with a bloodless victory in this prestigious event. He was close up before leading going well 3 out and soon went clear, coasting in the closing stages and value at least double his winning margin. His stable is in notably good form and it makes sense to strike with him while the iron is hot.
PROTEKTORAT (c156 here, 166 previously) has been rated as running to the same level as when sixth under top weight in the Paddy Power Gold Cup the time before, not settling fully in last and outpaced as the winner went on before getting up for second on the run-in. He is still capable of very smart form but possibly not quite what he was in the past.
GINNY’S DESTINY (c141 here, 156 previously) had the measure of Djelo on their second and third in the Turners at the Cheltenham Festival but seemed to need the race badly on his recent return and was again below form here, favoured by the weights. He tracked the pace wide, made a couple of mistakes, briefly went second after 3 out but ultimately faded.
NICKLE BACK (c0 here, 148 previously) had beaten Djelo at Sandown in February but has gone backwards as that one has gone forwards, quickly beaten after leading until 3 out.
MINELLA DRAMA (c0 here, 151 previously) ran no sort of a race, not asked to lead this time, and is far from consistent overall.
