Tavalu can land this at the expense of The Grey Man and Kanpai. The selection wears the first time blinkers to sharpen him up after finishing third of six at Epsom last time out. To be fair to him it was not a bad effort that day and if the blinkers can work the oracle then he has to be the one horse to stay on the right side of. The Grey Man managed a win last year at Worcester over jumps but has since turned his attention to the flat. He caught the eye when second of nine at Thirsk last time out and staying is his game so with that in mind he has to go well again. Kanpai has been winning over jumps this summer at Worcester twice and Southwell once. His last race on the level was an eye catching one when third to Lodgician at Carlisle and with him being so well treated he is sure to run well again. But for the winner we return to Tanalu.
The Grey Man 12-1 (8-13) Led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Dancer's Serenade (9-5) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Tavalu (USA) 3-1jt-fav (9-0) Led, kept on one pace when headed 2f out, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Croon (10-0) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Jayer Gilles 17-2 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, no impression, 9th of 12, 10l behind Rehearsed (8-4) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Sandy's Legend (USA) 6-1 (8-10) Held up, headway 5f out, ridden over 3f out, hung left from well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Salut Saint Cloud (9-1) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Kanpai (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway 7f out, effort 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Lodgician (9-1) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Tip Toes (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up in 6th, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, every chance on outside 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 8l behind Riff Raff (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 6f mdn stk (5) gf.
Dipped Wings (IRE) 16-1 (8-1) Always behind, 5th of 9, 18l behind Shipmaster (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f mdn stk (5) sft in May.
Overlook 9-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden along 6f out, weakened quickly straight, 7th of 8, 13l behind Riff Raff (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 6f mdn stk (5) gf.
