chased leaders, ridden from 7f out, weakened over 3f out, soon well behind, tailed off, virtually pulled up inside final furlong
chased leader, ridden to lead 1f out, headed post
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and outpaced by leading pair over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed 1f out, rallied under strong driving inside final furlong to regain lead post
towards rear, bustled along early, ridden over 4f out, went 3rd over 1f out, no chance with front pair
towards rear, reminders 9f out, lost touch 6f out, tailed off
held up and behind, ridden 5f out, lost touch 4f out, tailed off
Trainer Mark Brisbourne has won this race twice in the last three years and Merrymaker can bring him another success; Rock 'N' Roller and Vanquisher are also respected. The selection is the only course and distance winner in the field and he confirmed his well-being when he finished second behind Kyber at Musselburgh last time. His best form is on a faster surface but this is not a strong contest and he should be up to winning it. Rock 'N' Roller is the obvious alternative as he will go on the ground, but he ran a shocker at Pontefract last time and that run will have to be forgiven. Vanquisher has got some consistent form, albeit at a moderate level, and he may be good enough to run into a place. Nicky Vaughan's Don Jose is worth a market check as the yard are going great guns, but we will nominate Merrymaker as the pick.
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 4-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, 7th of 9, 34l behind Aphorism (9-9) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Command Marshal (FR) 15-2 (9-1) Held up, some headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 12l behind Alnwick (8-12) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) frm in Jun.
Vanquisher (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 9, 5l behind La Vecchia Scuola (9-1) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Keelung (USA) 6-1 (9-5) Made all, clear after 3f, pushed out final furlong, unchallenged, won at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft beating Sea Admiral (8-11) by 14l, 6 ran.
Merrymaker 7-2 (9-2) Slowly into stride, headway 6f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, 39l behind Keelung (9-5) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Lyon's Hill 66-1 (9-13) In touch, outpaced 3f out, soon beaten, 10th of 12, 17l behind Criterion (8-8) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gd in May.
Don Jose (USA) 12-1 (7-9) Held up, outpaced over 3f out, 7th of 14, 11l behind Bijou Dan (8-12) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Corum (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Always behind, weakened over 1f out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 27l behind Keelung (9-5) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
