held up, outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten, weakened and eased final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and effort 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, held towards finish
slowly away and in rear, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
held up, headway 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, kept on and every chance until no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, headway to lead 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong
raced keenly, in touch, lost place 3f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on until no extra final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, no impression when hung left over 2f out, weakened 1f out
Westport is preferred to Sea Salt and Oeuf A La Neige. Kevin Ryan's runner has been performing well enough in handicaps to believe that he has a realistic chance of making the most of this drop in class. His strike rate is poor on turf but he can have no excuses this afternoon. The clear danger is Sea Salt who is the pick at the weights and who scored readily in selling company on his return. He clearly goes well fresh so his subsequent absence is of no concern and he has a leading chance. Oeuf A La Neige has plenty to find with that pair and both have been running well enough to think that they can dominate this contest. Linda Perratt's runner is a fair sort though and won't be disgraced but may have to settle for minor honours behind Sea Salt and our selection, Westport.
Westport 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, smooth headway, every chance over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Grazeon Gold Blend (9-9) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Chin Wag (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, never on terms, 5th of 10, 5l behind Boy Dancer (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f hcap (5) gf in Jul.
Neon Blue 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 14l behind Alexander Huricane (9-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Oeuf A La Neige 10-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Alexander Huricane (9-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Sea Salt 7-2fav (9-4) Made all, ridden clear approaching final furlong, pushed out, won at Redcar 7f sll (6) sft in May beating Zennerman (9-4) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Astronomical Odds (USA) 16-1 (10-1) Behind far side group, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 20l behind Conjecture (10-3) at Ayr 5f amt hcp (6) gs in Jul.
Geordie Dancer (IRE) 100-1 (7-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 16, 11l behind Opal Noir (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcap (5) gf in Jun.
Ugly Betty 100-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders until weakened over 3f out, last of 8, 32l behind Jack Junior (9-12) at Haydock 1m mdn stk (5) gd in Jun.
Warm Tribute (USA) 25-1 (8-7) With leaders, driven 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 9l behind Mandalay King (8-3) at Redcar 6f app hcp (6) gf in Jul.