pressed leader, ridden and every chance 3f out, weakened over 2f out
rear of mid-division, took keen hold, not clear run and switched left 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along over 9f out, last over 6f out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 6f out, challenged over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on
held up towards rear, not clear run and headway 2f out, switched right over 1f out, tried to challenge when not much room between horses soon after, kept on
in touch, hampered over 2f out, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, no impression
dwelt, in rear, ridden over 2f out, no headway
in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on under pressure to take 3rd post
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, went handy 9f out, ridden 3f out, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway when bumped over 2f out, bumped again over 1f out, stayed on, not able to challenge
This has the makings of a cracking handicap, with DESERT RECLUSE taken to come out on top ahead of Keenes Day, Martyr and On Terms. Our selection is the only three-year-old in the field and for us that is a major positive, as at this time of year the classic generation tend to make hay in staying handicaps. That was the case in this race last year and we're hopeful Pat Eddery's charge can overcome the 11lb rise he incurred for winning over 1m4f at York. He's never tried this trip before but has won over 14 furlongs and shapes every inch a stayer. It was Mark Johnston who trained last year's winner Alanbrooke and the Scottish handler has indeed trained three of the last five winners of this contest. With that in mind Keenes Day is to be respected, especially as he arrives on the back of a fine second when beaten by a lack of pace, while the first-time blinkers could bring about yet more improvement. He arrives with no questions to answer with regards stamina and neither does On Terms, another to consider. This filly is absolutely flying and while she beat nothing at Folkestone last time, as a consequence she's only gone up 4lbs and is unbeaten on turf, with all three of those victories coming under these conditions. Martyr is one horse who tries the trip for the first time and there has to be some doubt as to his stamina for it. Richard Hannon's charge ran well at Royal Ascot over a mile and a half last time and connections can't complain about a solitary pound rise, but although he does shape like a stayer he's not bred to be one and a watching brief is our approach. Hevelius seemed to improve for stepping up in trip last time and there could be more to come now he tries two miles for the first time but he's not the most reliable while Dazinski may just need his first run in 76 days. Urban Poet and Topolski both try headgear for the first time and could improve but neither makes much appeal in this contest, one taken to go to Desert Recluse.
Urban Poet (USA) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out, eased, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Dayia (8-10) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Martyr 9-1 (8-12) Close up in 5th, travelling well over 2f out, chased leaders in 3rd 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace over 1f out, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Cill Rialaig (8-11) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
Hevelius 8-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway on inside 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, ridden and held over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Woolfall Treasure (9-6) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Keenes Day (FR) 16-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway on outside under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd well inside final furlong, closed on winner near finish, 2nd of 12, hd behind Phoenix Flight (8-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jun.
Ocean's Minstrel 12-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, effort on inside over 2f out, no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 12, 3l behind Phoenix Flight (8-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jun.
Bow To No One (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, nudged along over 3f out, soon no impression, 11th of 18, 19l behind Desert Recluse (8-3) at York 1m 4f ladys hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Dazinski 7-2 (8-7) Held up in touch, switched outside and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Ripon 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Apr beating My Arch (8-5) by 2l, 8 ran.
Brett Vale (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Held up in last trio, pushed along 3f out, never troubled leaders, 9th of 12, 6l behind Phoenix Flight (8-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jun.
Satwa Gold (USA) 9-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, hard driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Drawn Gold (8-2) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Topolski (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Tracked leader , ridden and went left 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Dayia (8-10) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
On Terms (USA) 4-9fav (9-2) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, unchallenged, comfortably, won at Folkestone 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun beating Black Jacari (9-1) by 3 1/2l, 3 ran.
Epsom Salts 15-2 (9-2) Started slowly, held up and behind, steady headway on outside 3f out, ridden and chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Outrageous Request (9-0) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Desert Recluse (IRE) 11-1 (8-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, led well over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at York 1m 4f ladys hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun beating Alcalde (9-12) by 6l, 18 ran.
