pressed leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, not much room entering final furlong, faded
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 1f out, edged left, not quicken
chased leaders, challenged 2f out, slight lead just over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken
towards rear, not clear run on stands side rail over 2f out, headway when not clear run over 1f out, running on and trying to challenge between horses when squeezed out well inside final furlong, not recover
led, soon switched right, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders on outer, challenging over 2f out, soon hanging left, weakened final furlong
held up, headway when not clear run and switched left just over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, edged right, ridden out
held up in rear, switched left 1f out, ran on entering final furlong, never quite able to challenge leaders
BERTOLIVER ran well to finish second at Chester last time out and is taken to go one better at the main expense of Rocker and Drifting Gold. The selection is the winner of four races to date but has been winless since last May. He has dropped fifteen pounds in the ratings as a consequence and showed signs of coming back to his beat last time out. If he can recapture some of his old zest then he will not be far away come the business end of the race. Rocker landed back to back victories at Nottingham and Brighton last autumn and has run well in defeat on a number of occasions this summer. The handicapper may have him where he wants him for the time being, but another bold bid can be expected. Drifting Gold won off a six pound lower mark at Brighton in April and has run some fair races in defeat since. His latest run at Kempton was slightly below par but at his best she has every chance of being in the first three. Bertoliver however looks the form horse in the race and takes preference.
Peter Island (FR) 9-2 (9-9) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Barons Spy (9-7) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Misaro (GER) 6-1 (9-7) Bumped start, prominent, ridden well over 1f out, soon not quicken, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4l behind Red Rosanna (8-8) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Bertoliver 2-1fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Impressible (9-0) at Chester 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Our Piccadilly (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, hard driven to challenged well over 1f out, soon one pace, 7th of 10, 6l behind Mandurah (9-12) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Merlin's Dancer 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leading pair to over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 4, 18l behind Mac Gille Eoin (9-13) at Epsom Downs 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Drifting Gold 4-1 (9-10) Pulled hard, tracked leader 4f out, driven and still disputing 2nd approaching final furlong, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Midnight Fantasy (8-10) at Kempton 6f fll hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Rocker 15-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 4th of 10, 4l behind Blue Jack (9-9) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Prominent, bumped when under pressure 2f out, gradually weakened, 11th of 16, 6l behind Lord Of The Reins (9-6) at Newmarket 5f hcap (4) gd in Aug.
Wotashirtfull (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Dwelt, soon close up, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 18, 8l behind Indian Trail (8-2) at Epsom Downs 5f hcap (2) gd in Jun.
