in touch until lost place and dropped to rear halfway, stayed on again from over 1f out
steadied rear, ridden and struggling straight, soon eased when no chance
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
in mid-division when not clear run on rail inside final 3f, soon ridden and no headway
soon chasing leaders on outside, went 2nd 2f out, soon every chance, hung right final furlong, rallied near finish, always held
took keen hold in touch, stayed on, one pace final 2f
steadied rear, always behind
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, driven and headed entering final furlong, rallied gamely near finish
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, soon chasing leaders, led entering final furlong, stayed on well, driven out
always mid-division
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
steadied rear, headway outside early straight, switched right 2f out, one pace under pressure after
In a very good contest, Peppertree Lane is selected ahead of Soulacroix and, possibly, Desert Realm. This is a fascinating race, one that pitches youth against experience. Peppertree Lane and Stotsfold fall into the former category. Peppertree Lane confirmed his progressive nature by landing Haydock's Old Borough Cup last time, and he rates as a major player today. Stotsfold has caught the eye in winning three of his last four races and he too rates as progressive and is respected. Soulacroix has shown a very good level of form in both handicap and Listed company and, coming into this race under a light campaign, can also get involved. Looking at a few of the others, and Counsel's Opinion is capable of being competitive from his current mark, while Millville could be given a chance if recapturing his early-season promise, and Desert Realm was certainly unlucky in running at Newbury last time and it would be no surprise to see him fare a lot better today. However, having won this race three times since 2000, trainer Mark Johnston clearly knows what it takes to land a race of this nature and, for that reason, the vote edges towards Peppertree Lane.
Soulacroix 15-8fav (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Foxhaven (9-1) at Chester 1m 4f lst stk (1) gf.
Counsel's Opinion (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up well in rear, never in contention, 9th of 11, 13l behind Tam Lin (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Hearthstead Wings 50-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 15th of 19, 49l behind Mudawin (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Aug.
Palomar (USA) 16-1 (9-10) Behind, going well and nowhere to go 2f out, hampered inside final furlong, not recover and eased, 13th of 20, 6l behind Pinpoint (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Group Captain 15-2 (9-7) In touch, ridden and edged right over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Topatoo (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Aug.
Millville 10-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 19, 21l behind London Express (8-12) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug.
Odiham 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 19, 18l behind Mudawin (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Aug.
Peppertree Lane (IRE) 9-2fav (8-3) In touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung right, edged left inside final furlong, driven out, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) hvy beating Quizzene (8-0) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on, never reached leaders, 6th of 17, 10l behind Topatoo (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Aug.
Pevensey (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind High Command (9-5) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Sweet Indulgence (IRE) 40-1 (8-3) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 22l behind Peppertree Lane (8-3) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) hvy.
Lake Poet (IRE) 11-8fav (9-4) Held up in rear, switched left over 1f out, ridden and kept on, not reach leaders, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Dream Champion (8-7) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Resonate (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 11, 5l behind Sanchi (9-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Consular 22-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, 12th of 19, 26l behind Mudawin (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Aug.
Luberon 20-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 6l behind New Guinea (8-0) at Chester 1m 5f lst hcp (1) gd in Aug.
Royal Jet 7-2fav (9-7) In touch, chased winner over 2f out, stayed on under pressure, no impression from over 1f out, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Balanced Budget (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Top Seed (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) In rear, ridden 5f out, stayed on to chase leading trio final furlong, 4th of 14, 10l behind Halla San (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
