led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, not much room over 1f out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, headway to lead entering final furlong, hung on gamely close home
prominent, ridden and every chance from over 1f out until one pace final furlong
Winthorpe would prefer quicker ground, as would the Irish challenger Richielieu, and so the vote goes to Brut who can make amends for his recent defeat. David Barker's consistent gelding is still on a decent mark despite having recorded two victories in June. Just 4lbs above his highest winning mark, the claim of Paddy McDonald helps offset that and having proven himself effective on this ground before, he can win again. George The Best hasn't been of late, whilst Joyeaux is very much at home in the mud so warrants respect. Calypso King has solid claims but appears to be best suited by the all-weather, although the jockey booking of Seb Sanders takes the eye. Mozakhraf is out of form but tumbling down the weights as a result, however we will return to Brut as the winner.
Richelieu 9-2 (9-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway on outer 2f out, led under 1f out, ridden clear, headed last strides, 2nd of 20, hd behind Calm Lad (8-10) at Curragh 6f hcp 0-70 gd in Jun.
Brut 9-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, kept on until headed close home, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Katie Boo (9-0) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Calypso King 7-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, effort 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Safari Mischief (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Winthorpe (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Brut (9-4) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
Joyeaux 7-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders ridden over 1f out one pace, 5th of 7, 3l behind Shes Minnie (9-13) at Nottingham 6f fll hcp (4) sft.
Mozakhraf (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Took keen hold behind leaders, ridden along over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Skyelady (9-5) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
George The Best (IRE) 4-1fav (9-12) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 1f out, hung right, one pace final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Rondo (8-11) at Hamilton 6f app hcp (6) sft.
Vondova 500-1 (9-3) Soon driven along in rear, lost touch over 1f out, last of 11, 10l behind Mecca's Mate (9-3) at Ayr 5f lst fll stk (1) gd.