always towards rear
slowly into stride, soon driven to mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on well
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, soon hung right and weakened
held up in rear, headway over 4f out, never on terms
tracked leader, keen early, effort over 1f out, soon led, ridden out
in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on strongly
dwelt, always behind
led until over 2f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, edged right and one pace
Record Breaker has run some good races here and is very game however he is held by MYSTERY STAR on their run here last time and it is Mark Tompkins' runner who is selected ahead of Conquisto. The selection only lost out by a short-head to a rejuvenated Munsef over this course and distance last time, and although he has a 3lb rise in the weights, he should be able to cope. He will need a strong temp as he was doing all of his best work at the line on that occasion but this progressive and consistent four-year-old is fancied to prevail. Also on the upgrade is Conquisto who was a cosy winner at Doncaster last time and he has earned his 7lb higher mark, whilst similar comments apply to recent Newmarket winner Remember Ramon. William Blake has had a busy season but he continues to give his running; his fourth to stablemate Drumfire at Goodwood was a personal best. A drop in trip on better ground will suit Buddhist Monk although his mark still looks high, Night Crescendo has gone off the boil, whilst Press The Button's second to Dancourt reads as a solid piece of form, especially under his big weight. Course winner King Charles needs consideration but he still has stamina to prove and in what looks likely to be a decent test, it is Mystery Star who is preferred.
King Charles 3-1fav (10-0) Held up in rear, ridden approaching final furlong, soon hung left, kept on, not pace to challenge, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Emerald Wilderness (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.
Heron Bay 14-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left and kept on final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind King Charles (9-9) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Jul.
Mystery Star (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, challenged and hung right from 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on gamely until headed final stride, 2nd of 15, shd behind Munsef (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jul.
Conquisto 4-1 (9-13) Steadied start, pulled hard in rear, headway on outer from over 2f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, edged left and ridden clear, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul beating Battle Planner (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Press The Button (GER) 16-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner final 1f, stayed on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Dancourt (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Night Crescendo (USA) 5-1 (10-0) Took keen hold early, tracked leader to 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 21l behind High Ambition (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Buddhist Monk 50-1 (8-6) Held up behind, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous, 12th of 17, 14l behind Som Tala (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) sft in Jun.
Remember Ramon (USA) 12-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden 1f out, found extra when pressed inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jul beating Snoqualmie Boy (9-9) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
William Blake 7-1 (8-0) Prominent, squeezed out and lost ground just inside 3f out, soon ridden, switched left 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong without troubling leaders, 4th of 14, 2l behind Drumfire (9-10) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (4yo+) (2) gd in Jul.
Record Breaker (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Led to over 8f out, chased leader, led 3f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 15, 3l behind Munsef (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jul.