tracked leaders, switched right over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner briefly over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
reminder soon after start, mid-division, ridden 3f out, edged right over 2f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and edged right over 2f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong
went right start, held up towards rear, headway from 2f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, kept on, no impression
hampered start, towards rear, reminder 4f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
went right start, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went 4th inside final furlong, never nearer
always prominent, led 2f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on well
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden and edged right over 2f out, soon lost place
In the hope he's given a positive ride, GRAMERCY is our pick to land this ahead of Addictive Dream, King's Wonder and Joe Packet. The last-named horse arrives in search of a hat-trick having taken an age to get off the mark. Clearly his confidence has been boosted and he relishes a stiff finish, so this colt should go well as he bids to defy a 5lb rise. However, we're inclined to turn to a horse yet to score this term in the shape of Gramercy. Michael Bell's charge has only a six furlong polytrack maiden success to his name but caught the eye on his seasonal return when set far too much to do. Subsequent efforts can be excused as he was keen at Salisbury before perhaps failing to act around Epsom, while the handicapper's one pound drop can only help. The concern is he's dropped back to six having been running over a furlong further and he won't want to get too far back, so backers should hope for a forward-thinking ride from new partner George Baker. Addictive Dream may start favourite for the race having readily landed a fair Kempton handicap last time, after running well on the turf at Salisbury. Conditions should be no problem but he's shown a rather awkward head carriage of late and may not be fully focused on the job in hand; in this tougher race that could make all the difference. Fantasy Gladiator didn't carry his head at all well on his return either and that may've been down to quick ground, something likely again here, and he's taken on with that in mind with King's Wonder a bigger threat. Both his wins have come over seven but he's unexposed at this distance and ran well when beaten a length last time. Cape Melody is up 3lbs and two grades following a Leicester second but has scope to improve as does the first-time blinkered Fleeting Star, but both may have to settle for minor roles in this race, one taken to go to Gramercy.
Drawnfromthepast (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden 2f out, hampered and lost place entering final furlong, 12th of 16, 8l behind Parisian Pyramid (8-13) at Windsor 6f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
King's Wonder 7-2 (9-4) Chashed leaders, ridden and every chance when hung left over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Something (9-13) at Epsom Downs 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Filligree (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 18l behind Barney McGrew (9-3) at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Victorian Bounty 6-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, keeping on same pace when slightly hampered 1f out, 4th of 13, 6l behind Cornus (8-9) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Gramercy (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Steadied start, in rear of main group, ridden and headway when edged left entering final furlong, never a threat, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Cansili Star (8-9) at Epsom Downs 7f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Cape Melody 3-1fav (10-4) Dwelt, in rear, still plenty to do over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly final furlong to go 2nd post, just failed, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Revue Princess (9-1) at Leicester 6f flls hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Fantasy Gladiator 16-1 (9-3) Dwelt, soon close up, pressing leaders when hung left over 1f out, soon hampered and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, lost 3rd final 100 yards, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Deacon Blues (9-1) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Joe Packet 4-1fav (8-12) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun beating Pirate's Song (8-9) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Fleeting Star (USA) 6-1 (9-8) Held up, ridden halfway, never able to challenge, 6th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Captain Coke (8-13) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Desert Icon (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 17l behind My Kingdom (9-2) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Addictive Dream (IRE) 15-8 (8-13) Held up in 5th, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened away inside final furlong, readily, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun beating Strictly Dancing (9-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
