chased leaders on outer, went 2nd and every chance 2f out, one pace and no impression on winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up, ridden and beaten when hung badly left from over 2f out
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leader to 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always behind
held up in rear, made some moderate late headway
in touch, headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, in command final furlong, ridden out
went right start, soon led, strongly pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride and squeezed out start, held up in rear, good headway on wide outside from 2f out, ran on under pressure and went 2nd inside final furlong, not reached winner
took keen hold, held up on inner, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden and one pace when not much room and switched right over 1f out, no progress
Slugger O'Toole is the percentage call in the finale with Opera Prince best of the rest. The selection has his quirks but has progressed with each and every start since joining Barry Hills this season and has the potential to rate a good bit better than his current mark. He may have been a shade fortunate to beat an unlucky in running Meydan Princess at Newmarket but he's only gone up by 4lbs for that which looks lenient in the light of good performances by the second, third, sixth and eighth. Opera Prince did well to make up the ground at Leicester having slipped leaving the stalls. This is tougher but he's progressive and able to race from the same mark which he should be capable of winning off. East Drive represents a respected combination but the form of his narrow win at Goodwood has been let down by the second and third and the handicapper doesn't appear to have taken many chances. Nezami is considered, Meydan Dubai showed promise on his penultimate start and his yard is going better now whilst Dubai Meydan is held in high regard and may well attract support but doesn't look straightforward. A few with claims as you'd expect but SLUGGER O'TOOLE makes plenty of appeal despite having to concede weight all round.
Slugger O'Toole 11-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well, won at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf in May beating Meydan Princess (8-6) by a nk, 11 ran.
Keep Discovering (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 9l behind Fathsta (8-10) at York 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf in May.
Geezers Colours 50-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 11l behind Fathsta (8-10) at York 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf in May.
East Drive (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leading pair, challenged 2f out, soon led and hung badly right, kept narrow advantage throughout final furlong, won at Goodwood 7f 3yo mdn (5) gs in May beating Strategic Mover (9-3) by a nk, 4 ran.
Nezami (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, not quicken, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Fervent Prince (8-10) at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
Meydan Dubai (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) In touch, lost place 3f out, 8th of 11, 14l behind Yaddree (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (3) frm in May.
Bellomi (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon headway, one pace, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Fervent Prince (8-10) at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
Cross Fell (USA) 9-2 (9-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed near finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Mister New York (8-12) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Dubai Meydan (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Catterick 7f mdn stk (5) gd in May beating Ramaad (9-0) by a hd, 13 ran.
The Game 15-2 (9-0) Broke well, prominent, not much room on inside well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 12l behind Not My Choice (8-8) at Chester 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
Opera Prince 4-1 (9-1) Slipped on leaving stalls, lost many lengths, behind, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, gaining near finish, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind We Have A Dream (9-2) at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
