in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on final furlong, always held
made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, beaten and eased near finish
behind, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
dwelt and switched right soon after start, behind, ridden halfway, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never troubled leaders
chased winner to over 1f out, driven and one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Divine Spirit has hit a rich vein of form and is hard to oppose this afternoon, Melalchist and Garstang may be the main obstacles. The Michael Dodds trained six-year-old made it two wins on the bounce when comfortably beating Blessed Place at Nottingham. There could still be plenty in the locker and he should land the hat-trick. Melalchrist has also been in good heart this season and comes here on the back of a recent second behind the selection over course and distance. He has to be a major threat on today's terms, but Divine Spirit looks to have improved since that run. Garstang gained a smooth victory at Windsor last time out, but it was a pretty modest event, he may find things more difficult today under a six pound penalty. The best of the rest could be Namir, but Divine Spirit is in the form of his life and he gets the verdict today.
Efistorm 7-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, lost place over 1f out, weakened and eased final furlong, 10th of 11, 12l behind Glasshoughton (8-9) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Jul.
Melalchrist 6-1 (9-12) Led, ridden along 2f out, staying on final furlong until headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Divine Spirit (8-10) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, driven, one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind High Curragh (9-6) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Namir (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Started slowly, held up near side, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 9th of 27, 3 1/2l behind Pearly Wey (9-5) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf.
Divine Spirit 3-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Blessed Place (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sparkling Eyes 10-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 13, 10l behind Edge Closer (9-6) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Garstang 9-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Windsor 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating One Way Ticket (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
The History Man (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden along halfway, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Welcome Approach (9-2) by a shd, 11 ran.
Welcome Approach 13-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reached winner, 2nd of 11, shd behind The History Man (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Bridge It Jo 16-1 (9-7) Slowly away, always in rear, 7th of 9, 14l behind Sundae (9-4) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jun.