driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
hampered at start and towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home
started slowly and towards rear, soon chased along, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders to halfway
reared at start and towards rear, chased along 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along half way, driven and one pace final furlong
towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders to halfway
in touch, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and clear over 1f out, one pace final furlong until headed when weakening close home
towards rear and soon chased along, some late headway, never reached challenging position
prominent for 3f
never better than mid-division
Nonrunner
The lightly weighted El Potro is a sporting choice to have the race run to suit and get the better of the in-form Divine Spirit, Melalchrist and The History Man. It would also be folly to rule out Count Cougar - even though his best form has been on the All Weather surfaces. The Simon Griffiths-trained gelding is well treated in comparison to his AW rating and will be a threat if he adapts to the surface. The History Man is being kept busy and has started to reap the rewards of the handicapper's leniency. However, this is a stiffer test than that of his last two outings and he may prove vulnerable under a 6lb penalty. The same has to be said of Melalchrist - even though he has a good draw in stall fifteen. PJ McDonald's claim helps his burden but the top weight needs everything to go his way. Divine Spirit has the best of the draw and should make a bold bid. Royston Ffrench knows him well and the partnership may be worth a saver if the odds permit. However, El Potro confirmed his well being by chasing home the bang-in-form Prospect Court here 11 days ago and, as he loves to weave his way through with a late challenge, he looks sure to benefit from the likely strong pace. The mount of Graham Gibbons also finds himself on a featherweight today and is worth a small interest in a very tricky race.
Melalchrist 4-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Hamilton 5f hcap (5) sft beating Rothesay Dancer (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Xpres Maite 13-2 (9-13) Held up, hampered over 3f out, headway on outside over 1f out, hung left and one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Wodhill Schnaps (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
The History Man (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Led, headed over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Tamino (9-4) at Salisbury 6f ldy rds hcp (5) gf.
Paddywack (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders to halfway, 11th of 12, 37l behind Prospect Court (9-4) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy.
Count Cougar (USA) 9-2 (9-8) Led, ridden halfway, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Whitbarrow (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcap (4) fbs in May.
Divine Spirit 15-8fav (9-1) Hampered start, behind, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Compton Classic (8-7) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jun.
Dark Champion 7-1 (8-6) Outpaced towards rear, ridden halfway, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Catterick 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Rothesay Dancer (8-0) by a hd, 13 ran.
Greek Secret 25-1 (9-4) Always behind, last of 15, 18l behind Sedge (9-4) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Sir Loin 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders stand's side, led that group inside final furlong, not impression with far side group, 3rd of 17, 3 1/2l behind The History Man (10-7) at Ayr 5f amt hcp (6) gd.
Miacarla 33-1 (7-13) Led and keen, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Balakiref (8-12) at Haydock 6f hcap (4).
Viewforth 8-1 (8-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Hotham (9-2) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
El Potro 14-1 (8-10) In touch far side, driven to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Prospect Court (9-4) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy.
Mujart 10-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, soon hung right, weakened, 8th of 13, 8l behind Karmest (8-8) at Warwick 6f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (6) sft in Jun.
Favouring (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Soon led, pulled hard, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 15, 14l behind Colinca's Lad (9-3) at Newmarket 1m app hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Making Music 10-1 (8-13) With leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 14th of 17, 13l behind Bold Haze (8-10) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jun.
Royal Composer (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, edged left towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, hd behind Whozart (10-7) at Redcar 6f amt hcp 0-80 (6) gd in May.
Toy Top (USA) 8-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 1f out, soon headed and weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 6l behind Rothesay Dancer (8-0) at Musselburgh 5f hcap (4) gd.
