led, headed 6f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened quickly, eased and virtually pulled up from over 2f out, tailed off
held up in 3rd, chased winner over 4f out, no chance, soon drew clear of 3rd
tracked leader, led 6f out, drew clear from over 4f out, in no danger, ridden from over 1f out
held up in 4th, shaken up 7f out, went 3rd 4f out, weakened 3f out
A small field for this finale however it looks pretty trappy so the most tentative of votes goes to Baba Ganouge ahead of Yossi and Aureate. Brian Meehan's string have been in the doldrums however the selection provided him with a welcome winner fifteen days ago at Chepstow. He was as happy as a pig in muck in wet conditions that day and will certainly not mind if the heavens open and the ground softens further. A mark of 87 on his handicap debut looks tough, but another big run looks on the cards for a horse who could not have been more impressive last time out. It is however debatable what he actually beat that day (favourite ran well below par), and Yossi and Aureate are two proven performers who looks obvious dangers. The former handled soft ground when running well at Yarmouth and Pontefract and whilst he is yet to win, he can run well once again although he may need some help from the handicapper. The return to this trip should help Aureate as Mark Johnston's colt could never land a blow last time out. He could be a very live danger today. Vanquisher and Delta Shuttle don't look the most apparent of dangers although first time blinkers on Vanquisher could light his fire, however this looks to be between the front-runners Baba Ganouge and Aureate and the vote goes to Baba Ganouge.
Baba Ganouge (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Made all, clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Chepstow 1m 4f mdn fll (5) sft beating Sadler's Leap (9-13) by 11l, 11 ran.
Yossi (IRE) 7-4fav (8-13) Held up, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind Veracity (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gd in May.
Aureate 11-4jt-fav (9-2) Led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Rock Anthem (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Delta Shuttle (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 8l behind Copernican (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Vanquisher (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, towards rear, steady progress from over 2f out, stayed on, 5th of 13, 3l behind Malt Or Mash (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
