dwelt, led over 10f out, quickened tempo 3f out, hard driven final furlong, stayed on well
tracked winner over 7f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden and hung right over 2f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, never quite able to get on terms with winner
led to over 10f out, chased winner to over 7f out, stayed in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakening when lost 3rd over 1f out
keen hold early, held up in 4th, driven along to chase leading pair over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, never able to challenge
held up in last pair, pushed along 4f out, beaten 3f out
Nonrunner
OTTOMAN EMPIRE can continue to progress though Tinaar and Highland Glen are likely to give him most to think about. David Lanigan's colt was backed off the boards on handicap debut and while he made hard work of it; his presence has scared off much of the meaningful opposition today. Tinaar needs a fair bit of stoking up but she finished well at this course earlier in the month and could be open to further improvement still. Highland Glen was sixth in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot though has worryingly not been seen out since. Barwell Bridge tends to do his best work in bigger fields so we reluctantly oppose. Simple Solution has gone backwards since running in the Cheshire Oaks and has beat nothing home since. Topolski is exposed. Ottoman Empire can rule proceedings today.
Highland Glen 7-1 (8-7) Towards rear, plenty to do over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 19, 5l behind Cosmic Sun (7-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Ottoman Empire (FR) 5-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, led going well 2f out, driven over 2 lengths clear over 1f out, soon hung right, just held on, all out, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Phoenix Flight (9-7) by hd, 9 ran.
Barwell Bridge 25-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 15l behind Akmal (9-3) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug.
Tinaar (USA) 4-1fav (8-7) In touch, effort 2f out, soon chased leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Overturn (9-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Simple Solution (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased, last of 5, 23l behind Classic Vintage (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Topolski (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Mid-division, lost place 4f out, no threat after, 9th of 14, 13l behind Whispering Gallery (9-3) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.