chased leaders, ran wide on bend over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, headed close home
led, ridden over 1f out, soon headed and weakened
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, led close home
held up in touch and keen, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace when not much room towards finish
Merchant of Medici could be well treated in the weights after a solid enough victory in a Seller last time out, but our preference is for KILT ROCK ahead of Desert Forest. The selection seems to have shown a liking for the all-weather before but was a creditable third last time at Lingfield after pressing the leaders for much of the way. If he has learnt from that experience then he could be the one to side with on this occasion. Merchant of Medici won by two-and-a-half lengths last time out at Leicester but returning to Handicap company and this could be a different picture. Desert Forest was beaten by much lower rated opposition last time out and carries the same weight in this contest. It is hard to fancy him based upon that performance but that was over a mile and preference has tended to be for seven furlongs based on best efforts which include a win over this trip at Musselburgh. Therefore an improved run can be expected. Skyfire cannot be ruled out for an in-form yard but we give the vote to Kilt Rock.
Skyfire 16-1 (8-13) In touch in 5th, under pressure 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 18l behind Madam Macie (9-3) at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Desert Forest (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, lost place when not much room just inside 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 14l behind Raleigh Quay (9-8) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Merchant Of Medici 5-2fav (9-0) Keen, held up, headeway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Leicester 7f 3yo sll (6) gf in Jun beating Sunrise Lyric (8-9) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Kilmanseck 12-1 (9-4) Disputed lead in centre group, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Slip Sliding Away (8-9) at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Just The Tonic 6-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, edged left and weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 10l behind Silly Gilly (8-9) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Chinese Democracy (USA) 4-1 (8-2) Held up in mid-division, hard driven and headway 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well under pressure, never reached winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Barlaman (9-3) at Brighton 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Kilt Rock (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Tell Halaf (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
