always behind
prominent, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on and headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
led for 1f, remained in touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home
mid-division, chased along 3f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on until headed close home
prominent, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
led after 1f, pushed along and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
The nine-year-old Topton sprung a surprise when winning over this trip at Newbury earlier in the month and has to be respected off just a 3lb higher mark and, while Zafarshah continues to run consistently well, slight preference is for Blythe Spirit. Richard Fahey's gelding won at Newcastle over a mile with plenty in hand at the beginning of the month and although well held in the Buckingham Palace Stakes last time that was over seven furlongs, so he should be suited by the return to today's distance. Off just a 4lb higher mark than at Newcastle, he has every chance of giving the in-form Fahey yard another winner. Style Dancer has claims on his best form but has been slow in coming down the handicap and could do with being dropped a few pounds. Oscar Pepper is likely to find this tougher than the classified stakes he won at Redcar recently and while Apache Point won on a faster surface at the same venue two starts ago he is usually better on a softer one. Kevin Darley is an interesting jockey booking for the top weight Inchdura and he is another to consider but Blythe Spirit has solid claims and gets the vote.