mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, switched left entering final furlong, soon edged right, ran on
held up in rear, hanging right over 2f out, never in contention
mid-division, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, never on terms, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, effort and hanging right from over 3f out, no impression and well held from over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden and effort over 3f out, well beaten over 1f out
prominent, led after 1f, ridden over 3f out, soon headed, one pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, headway over 6f out, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on same pace
slowly into stride, always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway when not much room and switched left over 2f out, no impression, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway entering final furlong, never on terms
stumbled slightly start, prominent, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
always towards rear
stumbled start, soon tracking leaders, led 3f out, ridden and edged right when asserting over 2f out, clear over 1f out, pushed out
tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
slowly into stride, always towards rear
held up in touch, lost place over 4f out, well beaten over 1f out
led 1f, prominent, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, no impression
The tough and consistent CAI SHEN makes most appeal. Recent solid runs behind higher rated rivals in pattern company, particularly a third to Asfare at Sandown last month, suggest he's improved but his handicap mark stays the same and Richard Hughes prefers him to stablemate King Torus. Luca Cumani is also doubly represented and will be hoping the rain stays away for the progressive Danadana, who has risen 8lb for his victory in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar. Stable companion Kirthill finished a close-up sixth at Ascot last time when just behind Retrieve and the latter has since come up short in Listed company though he'd beaten Kings Gambit before that. Frankie rides Retrieve rather than Start Right, who won a handicap at this meeting in 2010, while the hat-trick seeking Landaman makes more appeal than Don't Call Me and Las Verglas Star as all three step up in class.
Retrieve (AUS) 11-4 (9-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Poet (9-4) at Newbury 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) hvy.
King Torus (IRE) 50-1 (9-10) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 19th of 30, 11l behind Prince Of Johanne (9-3) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Cai Shen (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Led, ridden 2f out, soon narrowly headed, stayed pressing leader and still every chance over 1f out, no extra in disputed 4th in closing stages, 4th of 8, 2l behind Fanunalter (9-1) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 (1) gs.
Danadana (IRE) 5-4fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on, just held on, won at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun beating Mid Mon Lady (9-6) by hd, 11 ran.
Kirthill (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division on inside, pushed along 4f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no danger, 6th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Gatewood (8-11) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f listed hcp 0-110 (1) sft in Jun.
Kings Gambit (SAF) 33-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, headway to challenge over 3f out, effort over 2f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 18, 14l behind King's Warrior (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd.
Start Right 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 13, 9l behind Area Fifty One (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Spanish Duke (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 18, 13l behind Camborne (9-4) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gd in Jun.
Don't Call Me (IRE) 3-1 (9-12) In rear and outpaced, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 2f out on outer, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) sft beating Lord Aeryn (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Specific Gravity (FR) 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 7, 11l behind Sud Pacifique (8-10) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Aug.
Nanton (USA) 50-1 (9-2) Held up behind, effort to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 10th of 18, 12l behind King's Warrior (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd.
Licence To Till (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out, tailed off, 14th of 18, 36l behind King's Warrior (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd.
Right Step 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division on outside, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, tailed off, 16th of 18, 48l behind King's Warrior (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd.
Landaman (IRE) 8-13fav (9-13) Made virtually all, ridden clear 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun beating Brockfield (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Oceanway (USA) 25-1 (8-12) Tracked winner until over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 10, 22l behind Fattsota (9-1) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Pivotman 33-1 (8-11) Pressed leader, driven over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 18, well behind King's Warrior (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd.
Silken Thoughts 9-2 (9-6) Held up towards rear, good headway on outside over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Encke (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs.
Las Verglas Star (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway when not clear run 2f out, gradually eased to left, headway entering final furlong, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Ahzeemah (8-9) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
