held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung left, held on well
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out
always in rear
held up, headway over 1f out, never nearer
behind, never dangerous
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, driven to challenge over 3f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace
behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on well
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, ran on final furlong
tracked leader, effort over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 5f out, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed over 1f out, rallied and stayed on well close home
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, hampered over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out
From a shortlist containing Glistening, Sendintank, Balkan Knight and Elusive Dream, we will side with Glistening. The lightly-raced Glistening's second to St Leger possible Tawqeet at York last time marked him down as progressive and he gets the call here. Hearthstead Wings' Listed fourth-place at York two runs ago, was a fair run although Sendintank is two pounds better off for the neck he finished ahead of him on that occasion. The latter, who was a prolific winner last season, has since finished seventh in the Ebor and, for us, looks primed to go well today. However, Grampian (who looks held by Sendintank on York July 9th form) and Balkan Knight, who were third and fourth, respectively, in the Ebor, look major players too. Dr Sharp is a course and distance winner who looks reasonably weighted, while Sir Mark Prescott's Elusive Dream has to be fancied because, despite his absence, he looks set to improve again on last year's decent form. It would be no surprise to see Frankie Dettori get a tune out of last year's Northumberland Plate winner, Mirjan, while Big Moment is on a fair mark if rediscovering his form. Finally, the handicapper might have Crow Wood's measure right now, and Royal Cavalier likes it here and his mark is now back to a more realistic level. However, the vote goes to Glistening.
Grampian 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, led final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Balkan Knight 9-2fav (8-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 20, 2l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Crow Wood 8-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, one pace from 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 10th of 20, 8l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Carte Sauvage (USA) 40-1 (9-2) Tracked leader to 3f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 23l behind Orcadian (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Millville 20-1 (8-13) Held up behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon switched left, stayed on same pace, 13th of 20, 11l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Big Moment 14-1 (9-13) Slowly into stride, held up last pair, pushed along 5f out, struggling and no chance final 3f, 9th of 13, 12l behind Golden Quest (10-0) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Mirjan (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and no impression, 8th of 20, 6l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Elusive Dream 9-4fav (7-13) Tracked leader 7f out to 4f out, stayed prominent, kept on one pace final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Fort (7-13) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (B1) gf.
Most Definitely (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Jagger (9-7) at Chester 1m 5f lst hcp (1) gf in Aug.
Bay Story (USA) 11-1 (9-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, no impression, 10th of 18, 6l behind Camrose (9-12) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Dr Sharp (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Led early, remained in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 20, 8l behind Leg Spinner (8-12) at York 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Jun.
Hearthstead Wings 20-1 (8-2) Soon tracked leader, challenged from 6f out, led 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Distinction (9-5) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) sft in Jul.
Jeepstar 12-1 (9-12) Led, headed over 6f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, well behind Inchnadamph (8-12) at Newmarket 2m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Day To Remember 50-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride and behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 18, 5l behind Camrose (9-12) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Glistening 4-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden and headway 3f out, chased winner well over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Tawqeet (9-0) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Royal Cavalier 16-1 (9-11) Held up, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10l behind Millville (10-0) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Sendintank 12-1 (8-12) Held up, pulled hard, ridden over 3f out, headway well over 1f out, kept on, 7th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
