keen tracked leader, led over 7f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on
keen, set steady pace, headed over 7f out, weakened quickly over 4f out
mid-division, headway to chase leading pair over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden 3f out, not troubled leaders
close up, chased winner over 4f out until inside final furlong, kept on, one pace
in rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
keen and tracked leaders, lost place over 4f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
always in rear
Top Mark ran well on his return from a lengthy absence and he's well handicapped on old form, but LORD THEO has a more convincing profile and should take all the beating. He's down to a handy rating and actually took second in this race last year off a pound higher mark, beaten only by a horse who loves the track on to date his sole start under this rider. That combination of a handy mark and course experience suggests he's the one to side with. Profit's Reality is well-handicapped on his form on artificial surfaces and this front-running type actually has a better strike-rate on turf so can't be ruled out along with Potentiale for whom conditions look perfect. Hustle hasn't won beyond seven and therefore has stamina questions to answer, unlike our pick.
Inspirina (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 11l behind Resurge (9-9) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Profit's Reality (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 10, 19l behind Proud Times (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) fbs.
Dani's Girl (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Steadied start, took keen hold, held up in last pair, switched left and headway on outside over 2f out, soon driven and unable to quicken, no impression over 1f out, last of 6, 8l behind Blazing Desert (8-11) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Potentiale (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Bumped start, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Hawaana (9-5) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Lord Theo 9-2 (9-13) Keen tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 7l behind Denton (9-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Sir Boss (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Soon chased leader, led halfway, ridden along 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Shannersburg (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol.
Top Mark 16-1 (9-4) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Spoken (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Hustle (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) In rear, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 14l behind Wake Up Call (9-12) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
