held up, ridden over 4f out, no impression
tracked leaders, smooth headway to challenge 2f out, soon ridden, found nil, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 4f out, headway to challenge over 2f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed 4f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, headway to lead 4f out, soon ridden, headed, one pace inside final furlong
towards rear, reminders after 2f, ridden, badly outpaced over 4f out, good headway from over 1f out to lead inside final furlong, drew clear close home
They All Laughed comes here in top form and gets the vote to win again despite another rise in the weights. Interesting Irish challenger Balakar makes the shortlist. The selection hasn't finished out of the top three in his last eight outings, three of those being on ground with some cut in. He is now on his highest ever mark but he shapes as if there is amazingly still more to come and he may take some beating in this uncompetitive affair. Jimmy Lambe's Balakar takes they eye as it is 2839 days since he was last seen on the flat. He has been running well over hurdles this year; he is back to near his best and therefore this mark off 55 may be underestimating him. Peintre's Wonder is unexposed and may well improve for this step up in trip, whilst Qaasi is consistent if unspectacular. Golden Groom has place claims, however the one they all have to beat is They All Laughed.
They All Laughed 10-3 (9-10) Held up, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, led inside final furlong, all out, won at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Tibouchina (9-13) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Qaasi (USA) 7-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 14, 7l behind Hi Dancer (8-9) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Jun.
Balakar (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Chased leaders in 7th, 5th and ridden entering straight, kept on one paced from over 1f out, 5th of 16, 5l behind Quintus (9-5) at Naas 1m 3f hcp 0-105 gs in Oct '99.
Peintre's Wonder (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Ignition (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Rightful Ruler 9-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden 3f out, soon one pace, 6th of 14, 19l behind Ostfanni (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m amt hcp 0-80 (6) gd in Jun.
My Portfolio (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Towards rear, no impression from over 4f out, 12th of 19, 14l behind Azalea (10-9) at Leopardstown 1m 6f mdn stk gd in Jun.
Golden Groom 15-2 (8-9) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 5th of 12, 10l behind Theflyingscottie (8-6) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-60 (6) sft.
Atlantic Coast (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened 4f out, 14th of 16, 30l behind Ainama (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jun.
