towards rear, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, switched right over 2f out, chased leader 1f out, driven and ran on to lead post
in rear, switched right over 1f out, kept on, never nearer
towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, staying on when short of room inside final furlong
never on terms
pushed along soon after start, towards rear, never a factor
close up, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, caught post
mid-division, ridden 4f out, outpaced 3f out, driven and headway, entering final furlong, stayed on to go 3rd near finish
close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
keen chased leader until over 2f out
held up, not troubled leaders
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakend over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra
raced wide, in rear
Tartan Gigha won this last year but is now racing off a 12lb higher mark so we'll oppose him in favour of VITZNAU, with Vainglory and Osteopathic Remedy others worthy of consideration. Richard Hannon's charge has often drawn criticism for finding little off the bridle but Richard Hughes seems to hold the key to him, as was advertised when the pair obliged at Wolverhampton earlier this year. Since then the horse has continued to perform with credit, notably when a narrow second at Goodwood last time, and his ability to act around Epsom where he has won before swings the vote in his favour. Tartan Gigha did it nicely here last year and can't be totally discounted as he has surely improved since then. A winner at Newmarket over this trip last time, he's in good heart and should run his race although the draw has not been kind. Vainglory is another to arrive on the back of a Newmarket success and the evidence is that David Simcock's charge is as good as he's ever been. He's up another 5lbs and this is tougher but conditions are set to be ideal and he should give a good account. Set The Trend could be interesting at a price; Andrew Balding's charge won nicely on his debut last term when landing a gamble and he's got form off this sort of mark to give him place claims if back on song. Ocean's Minstrel won at this meeting last year but has been in poor form this term and can be opposed along with Extraterrestrial who disappointing last time, with Osteopathic Remedy a more likely threat to our selection. Michael Dods has his yard in good form and his versatile gelding is still fairly treated on both past and present form. This has a competitive look to it as one would expect but Vitznau may be able to successfully give the weight away.
Vitznau (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway well over 2f out, hard ridden to challenge inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 6, hd behind Beauchamp Xerxes (9-5) at Goodwood 1m Listed stks (1) gd in May.
Tartan Gigha (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in May beating Elliptical (8-4) by hd, 16 ran.
Extraterrestrial 4-1fav (9-7) Held up mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon beaten, 10th of 11, 13l behind Autumn Blades (9-6) at Chester 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gs in May.
Mull Of Killough (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, hampered over 2f out, eased, 21st of 23, 22l behind Brunston (8-2) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Mujood 10-1 (8-9) Mid-division, under pressure well over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 6l behind Tropical Paradise (9-2) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Ocean's Minstrel 13-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 13l behind Spirit Of Sharjah (9-2) at Leicester 7f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.
Set The Trend 11-4 (9-10) Held up towards rear, switched right and effort over 1f out, driven and soon one pace, 8th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Highly Regal (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (2) pol in Sep.
Vainglory (USA) 10-1 (8-7) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon hung right, led approaching final furlong, quickened clear, ridden out, won at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in May beating Audemar (8-8) by 2l, 7 ran.
Gaily Noble (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened towards finish, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Splendorinthegrass (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Osteopathic Remedy (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out on outside, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 5l behind Charlie Cool (8-9) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
Jordaura 7-1 (8-12) Held up in last trio, switched right well over 1f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to to chase winner well inside final furlong, closed near finish, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Ezdeyaad (8-10) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Audemar (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Pulled hard in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Vainglory (8-7) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in May.
Sunnyside Tom (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) Soon led, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 6l behind Tiger Reigns (9-4) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Deadly Secret (USA) 14-1 (9-4) Tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Celtic Change (8-12) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
