JUDICIAL won this last year and Line Of Reason the year before. The latter, who broke the track record that evening, hasn't been running well and was four lengths behind El Astronaute when receiving 6lb at York last month. That winner has been in tremendous form this season and the ground is in his favour though he's never run over this stiff track. The selection was behind Take Cover when the veteran scored at York and Newbury last summer but each time was racing off levels and gets 12lb here so looks the one to be on and his latest run at Haydock should be ignored as he got no sort of run. Robot Boy is a decent enough handicapper but twice finished behind Line Of Reason last summer.
Take Cover 33-1 (9-4) Led to post early, chased leader centre, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Battaash (9-9) at Haydock 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.
El Astronaute (IRE) 9-2fav (9-5) Tracked winner towards stands side rail, ridden over 1f out, kept on, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Caspian Prince (9-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Judicial (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Mid-division, not clear run over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, never had chance to pose a threat, 8th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Muthmir (9-4) at Haydock 5f lst stks (1) gf in Jun.
Line Of Reason (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, 13th of 16, 8 3/4l behind Caspian Prince (9-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Robot Boy (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Went right start tracked winner, pushed along halfway, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 5l behind Doctor Sardonicus (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f stks (3) pol in Apr.