SALISBURY 15:10

All 5 ran.

Time: 1m 43.4s Closing Sectional: (3.25f): 42.3s (99.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 100.8%

A competitive small-field affair on paper, though the steady pace resulted in a number of runners compromising their chances by racing freely, with the in-form winner coming out on top having done less wrong than the majority of his rivals.

GEORGE (IRE) didn't need to improve to follow up his Chelmsford success, displaying a professional attitude under pressure and proving himself tactically versatile in the process; awkward leaving stalls, held up, ridden 3f out, stayed on to lead inside final 1f; he's at the top of his game at present, though the likelihood is that he'll he need to progress if he is to defy a further rise in the weights.

KING'S SLIPPER wasted no time getting back on track and is probably worth marking up for this effort, doing well to sustain his effort as well as he did in the circumstances; close up, pulled hard, led over 1f out, headed inside final 1f, kept on; he's capable of winning from this sort of mark.

CORAZON ESPINADO (IRE) again ran creditably; dictated, took keen hold, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, one paced, very much had the run of the race.

TAHREEK ran to just a similar level to last time and looks to have stalled in his development, his keen-going nature holding him back (worth a try in a hood), late interference suffered on this occasion merely compounding matters; waited with, took strong hold, effort over 2f out, short of room inside final 1f, one paced.

ATEEM (FR) ran creditably in terms of form, but again failed to beat a single rival and is danger of becoming disappointing, his application under pressure again not all it might have been; in touch, took strong hold, effort over 1f out, not quicken, looked half-hearted.