slowly into stride, keen hold and held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon pushed along towards rear, headway on outer 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
slowly away, behind and pushed along 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
tracked leaders, weakened quickly inside final 2f, soon eased when no chance
took keen hold, held up behind leaders, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong
prominent on outside, driven halfway, weakened 3f out
held up in rear, never in contention
carried head to one side throughout, prominent, driven and still pressing leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, pushed along and kept on until headed just inside final furlong, soon one pace
Mister Benedictine gets the call here ahead of Campbeltown, Noble Nova and Tour d'Amour. The Willie Muir-trained selection put in his best performance yet when second to Wilson Star at Goodwood last time. That type of form makes him a leading player today. In his previous start at Brighton, he had finished ahead of Noble Nova and Tour d'Amour, although that pair have probably improved a little since. Campbeltown has shown a reasonable level of form in finishing second in his last two starts and the step up in trip might bring some more improvement. Close To You cost 40,000 guineas and should improve on his debut run stepped up in trip today. Mercurialist has something to like on breeding, while Wicked Daze improved at today's trip last time, which was promising, but more will be needed today, and Noble Nova has shown enough to suggest that she can be competitive for a place. Finally, Kristal's Dream hails from an in-form yard but others are preferred by us today, and the aforementioned Tour d'Amour put in a best-yet at Newbury last time, and more should be forthcoming at this longer trip. However, for us, the one to beat is Mister Benedictine.
Campbeltown (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Chased winner, ridden and every chance 2f out, outpaced by winner approaching final furlong, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Asset (8-12) at Yarmouth 6f nov stk (5) gf.
Close To You (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, not much room on inside rail 2f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 8th of 16, 6l behind Assertive (9-0) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Malech (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 14l behind Hunter Street (8-12) at Yarmouth 6f nov aut stk (6) gf.
Mercurialist Foxhound colt, half-sister to two 5f winners and a 7f winner.
Mister Benedictine 5-1 (9-0) Prominent and keen hold, ridden over 1f out and edged left, every chance inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, nk behind Wilson Star (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Seattle Spy (USA) 6-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and flashed tail 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Grandad Bill (9-0) at Thirsk 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Wicked Daze (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon in touch, headway to chase winner 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Royal Power (9-0) at Thirsk 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Amorada 20-1 (8-11) Slowly away, headway and edged right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 8th of 14, 12l behind Marriage Value (8-11) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) gs in May.
Kristal's Queen (IRE) Sendawar filly, half-sister to a couple of winners.
Noble Nova 12-1 (8-9) Outpaced, ridden halfway, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Multiple (8-9) at Brighton 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf.
Tour d'Amour (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, one pace final 2f, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Suesam (8-4) at Newbury 6f 2yo fll mdn aut (5) gf.
