tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, no impression on winner
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, clear briefly entering final furlong, headed final 75 yards, lost 2 places close home
tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, led final 75 yards, ran on well
held up towards rear, took keen hold, driven over 1f out, no impression
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, not much room briefly inside final furlong, kept on, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
awkward start, led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Vallarta is back for another crack having won this in 2015 and finished runner-up last year. Dandy Highwayman is upped 5lb for winning at Hamilton recently while Gilmer returned to action with a second over 7f at Catterick. But DARK DEFENDER showed some improvement for a slide down the weights when runner-up to My Name Is Rio, who runs in the previous race, here on his latest start and the course and distance winner can go close again with an apprentice taking 5lb off his back today. Course specialist Goninodaethat won here last month but was just behind the selection last time.
Dark Defender 17-2 (10-4) Went left start, led group of 4 in centre and 2nd overall, ridden and every chance over 1f out, chased winner hung right and and kept on same pace final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind My Name Is Rio (10-4) at Ayr 5f hcp (4) sft in Jun.
September Issue 8-1 (9-3) Close up, headway halfway, tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression and lost 2nd final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Crosse Fire (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Dandy Highwayman (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Close up, headway to chase leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and edged left towards finish, won at Hamilton 6f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Hee Haw (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Gilmer (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Showboating (9-2) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Vallarta (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Raced keenly, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner, well held inside final furlong, lost 2nd and no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Dark Crystal (8-12) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Chipping (IRE) 17-2 (8-12) Keen, tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon lost place, last of 9, 20 3/4l behind Mjjack (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp (4) hvy in May.
Goninodaethat 20-1 (8-11) Steadied and bumped start, tracked leaders in centre and keen, 2nd in group 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on pressing for 2nd but not pace of winner inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind My Name Is Rio (10-4) at Ayr 5f hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Buccaneers Vault (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Meshardal (8-13) at Thirsk 6f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
