prominent in chasing group, ridden and weakened over 4f out, eased when beaten final 2f
always in rear, pushed along and struggling 4f out, tailed off
chased leaders, led 6f out, kicked on over 4f out, headed 3f out, chased winner after, kept on well, no impression over 1f out
held up in rear, headway on rails over 3f out, stayed on to take 3rd over 1f out, nearest at finish
held up towards rear, pushed along and progress on outside over 2f out, went 4th inside final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, driven along, one pace and no impression final 2f
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, driven over 2f out and soon weakened
held up towards rear, effort on outside over 1f out, never reached leaders and weakened over 1f out
always rear division, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along and struggling over 3f out
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, kept on final 2f, never going pace to reach leaders
mid-division, headway over 3f out, not clear run and switched right to rails over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon struggling
close-up, headway 12f out, chased leaders 8f out, went 2nd going well over 4f out, led 3f out, clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly (hand timed)
towards rear, no real progress final 2f
slowly away, made some late progress, never in contention
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
led for 4f, stayed prominent, ridden and struggling over 6f out, beaten when hampered on rails 3f out, tailed off
prominent, led after 4f, narrowly headed 6f out, stayed well there until weakened quickly inside final 2f
MARKINGTON is a strong stayer and may find this contest run to suit; a lengthy list of dangers is perhaps topped by the progressive pair of Tyrells Wood and Swingkeel. Peter Bowen's charge has a 6lb rise in the weights for his comprehensive success at Newcastle last time, a win that was made more impressive by a muddling pace not playing to his strengths. A decent hurdler, his win at Pontefract in June over 2m2f suggested that he has the ability to stay this trip on the level and he could run well at a price. Shore Thing could be nicely handicapped on this return to the flat, Casual Garcia is better than two recent efforts might suggest but he will need to be ridden with more restraint, whilst Swordsman, Kasban and Sweetheart have all clashed swords recently and are closely matched today. Alnwick and American Spin are both held by the selection on a form line through Isabelonabicycle, so a bigger threat may be Relative Strength whose form with Run To Ede's was franked at the weekend and if he gets the trip then he shouldn't be far away. Always Bold stays all day and will be staying on when others have cried enough, Woolfall Treasure was a gallant sixth in the Ascot Stakes, whilst experience counts for plenty and Baddam, winner of this race last year, cannot be underestimated. Som Tala got an easy lead in the Northumberland plate but ground his rivals into submission and has not been harshly treated with a 3lb rise, although winning jockey Tony Culhane probably has been as he is replaced by Frankie Dettori today. Tyrells Wood ran well behind Caracciola last time at Ascot but has been hit with a 7lb rise in the weights, but he does look progressive, whilst Swingkeel goes on any ground and he was rewarded for his consistency when scoring at Kempton earlier this month. One of the longest races in the flat calendar can go the way of the progressive Markington.
Som Tala 16-1 (8-8) Set steady pace, made all, quickened over 3f out, ridden and hard pressed 2f out, held on well final furlong, won at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) sft in Jun beating Wells Lyrical (8-7) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Baddam 20-1 (9-8) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 15th of 20, 37l behind Judgethemoment (9-5) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Jun.
Tyrrells Wood (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) With leader, until hampered on rail 2f out, rallied to regain 2nd 1f out, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Caracciola (9-7) at Royal Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun.
Swingkeel (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Held up, headway on inner over 2f out, pushed along to lead inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m hcp (0-90) (3) pol beating Calculating (7-13) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Woolfall Treasure 12-1 (9-6) Towards rear, stayed on final furlong but never reached challenging position, 6th of 20, 12l behind Judgethemoment (9-5) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Jun.
Always Bold (IRE) 9-2 (9-11) Prominent early, held up in 4th after 2f, lost place 6f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not reached winner, 2nd of 7, nk behind Bergonzi (9-1) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Aaim To Prosper (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Keen, held up mid-division, headway from over 3f out, ridden to lead and joined well over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, edged left and held on well, won at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gs beating Alnwick (8-12) by shd, 10 ran.
Relative Strength (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Prominent in chasing group, bumped on rail 4f out, chased clear leader 3f out, closed and looked to have every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Run For Ede's (8-6) at Ascot 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gd.
Valdan (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, switched right 2f out, headway soon after, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reached winner, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Inspirina (9-2) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Sufad 50-1 (8-11) Always behind, lost touch over 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 14, 17l behind Confidentiality (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcap (4) pol in Jan.
Absolut Power (GER) 20-1 (9-4) Led, 10 lengths clear after 4f, came centre alone over 4f out, hung left to main field group over 2f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 10, 9l behind Aaim To Prosper (9-3) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Alnwick 17-2 (8-12) Chased clear leader, ridden 3f out, joined winner from over 1f out, hard driven inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 10, shd behind Aaim To Prosper (9-3) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Last Flight (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along 6f out, ridden to lead briefly over 2f out, held by winner from over 1f out, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Doubly Guest (8-12) at Bath 2m 1f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct '07.
Sweetheart 9-1 (8-10) Tracked leading pair, chased winner 4f out, driven and no impression 2f out, stayed on well for clear 2nd, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Alanbrooke (8-5) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Kasban 12-1 (8-6) Raced in close 4th, pushed along to go 3rd over 3f out, one pace 2f out, lost moderate 3rd inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 9l behind Alanbrooke (8-5) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Markington 5-2fav (8-3) Steadied start, held up behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on strongly under pressure inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun beating Sonara (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Shore Thing (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened, last of 11, well behind Magicalmysterytour (9-9) at Newbury 1m 5f hcap (3) gd in Aug '07.
Casual Garcia 3-1fav (10-0) Led, never travelling and niggled along most of the way, driven along halfway, headed 5f out, weakened quickly soon after, 6th of 7, 26l behind Swordsman (9-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Swordsman (GER) 9-2 (8-13) Close up, ridden over 3f out, slightly outpaced over 2f out, driven and stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Aaim To Prosper (9-3) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
American Spin 8-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway on inside 2f out, staying on when badly hampered on rail over 1f out, not recover, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Isabelonabicycle (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
