led 1f, remained prominent, lost place over 2f out
prominent, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace final furlong
steadied and held up in rear, driven and headway over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, stayed on under pressure to lead close home
raced wide of pack and led after 1f, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden well over 2f out, soon every chance, led inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra
All bar one of this septet are previous winners; so DOCTOR CRANE is only a speculative selection ahead of Lucky Redback and Wildcat Wizard, who are likely to make this a good test, while Talking Hands is already a course winner and seems to have got the hang of the racing game. The last named does need to step things up another notch in this company, though. Wildcat Wizard showed a good attitude to win at Doncaster last time out and is an obvious improver. Paul Cole has an entry in the Champagne Stakes pencilled in for the colt and he would need to post a big run to bolster his claims of stepping up to Group company. Lucky Redback doesn't look the most straightforward of characters and he needs to be on his best behaviour. But he has won his last two starts in a pleasing manner, so cannot be ruled out. This is something of an acid test for the son of Redback but he is a prime candidate to make the running and would be very dangerous if allowed an easy lead. However, Doctor Crane is also likely to be pressing at an early stage and, as he appears to have a more hardened attitude at the present time, the John Gosden-trained gelding gets the nod this time around.
Doctor Crane (USA) 9-1 (8-13) Started slowly, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on well to lead again inside final furlong, driven out, won at Newbury 7f 2yo stk (3) gd beating Oratory (8-13) by 1l, 7 ran.
Grand Honour (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, driven approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp (5) pol beating Gassal (8-8) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Prime Delivery (USA) 14-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 7, 5l behind Classic Blade (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs.
Talking Hands 4-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up last, headway on outside over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, pushed out, won at Ascot 6f 2yo hcp (3) gs beating Heliodor (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Wildcat Wizard (USA) 6-4fav (9-5) Close up, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed towards finish, stayed on to lead again post, won at Doncaster 7f nov stk (3) gd in Jun beating Prime Spirit (9-5) by a ns, 5 ran.
The Legal Blonde (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Went to race far side, switched right after 1f to race stand side, behind, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 14, 11l behind Sneak Preview (9-0) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) gs.
Lucky Redback (IRE) 1-5fav (9-1) Made all, keen, hung right from just over 1f out, bit slipped through mouth inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Warwick 7f 2yo nov stk (5) gf beating Rockinit (8-6) by 2l, 5 ran.
