held up last, well in touch, unable to quicken 2f out, stayed on to one pace 4th over 1f out
tracked leading pair, outpaced and pushed along 3f out, ridden and hung right 2f out, soon no chance with leading trio, weakened to 4th over 1f out
tracked leading trio on inside, pushed long 3f out, headway and hung right over 2f out, soon 3rd, driven between horses to lead final 100 yards, just prevailed
led, quickened 3f out, ridden and edging right from 2f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, driven to narrow lead inside final furlong, headed final 100 yards, rallied strongly close home, just failed
Sand Skier and BREAKHEART are quite closely matched but preference is for Andrew Balding's charge; Greylami loves it here and can't be ruled out either. Breakheart beat Sand Skier over a mile in June and has since confirmed form with that rival once more when second at Newmarket. He's now a pound higher but put to bed any stamina doubts that day and is fancied to beat Mark Johnston's charge for the third time, winning this contest in the process. Sand Skier has subsequently taken a solid third over this trip but is 3lbs higher now and shaped that day as though a further step up in trip wouldn't go amiss, so expect to see a positive ride from Greg Fairley on this occasion. Greylami won over course and distance last time and is 6lbs higher here but if there's enough pace to chase he's likely to acquit himself well, as he usually does when racing here. Hanoverian Baron disappointed at Haydock but that was in a very competitive race and this drop in trip won't hurt. David Probert gets on well with the horse and he's still only 5lbs higher than when readily scoring at York on his penultimate outing. Vainglory completes the line-up and isn't discounted but has shaped the last twice as though in the handicapper's grip, so we'll return to the progressive Breakheart.
Greylami (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Raced wide, in touch, smooth headway to on bit approaching 1f out, shaken up and hung left inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, readily, won at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Jo'burg (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Vainglory (USA) 10-3fav (9-11) Chased leaders on rail, switched left over 2f out, hanging right when not much room entering final furlong, one pace and no chance after, 5th of 10, 7l behind Mahadee (9-5) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Hanoverian Baron 10-3fav (8-2) Mid-division, took keen hold, clipped heels and stumbled over 10f out, ridden over 3f out, never on terms, 9th of 14, 13l behind Dangerous Midge (8-10) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4yo+) (2) gf.
Sand Skier 6-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader until outpaced as pace lifted over 2f out, rallied and hung left over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, stayed on strongly towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Cumulus Nimbus (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Breakheart (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Close up, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 19, nk behind Circumvent (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
