pulled hard, soon steady towards rear, headway 2f out, effort on inside to chase winner inside final furlong, held towards finish
in touch ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leading pair and always going well, led entering final furlong, reminder and soon in command, comfortably
slowly away, always in rear
pressed leader until over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, soon in touch on out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
slight lead, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, faded
held up, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
Mac Gille Eoin can foil the hat-trick bid of Edge Closer, with Guarantia, Buxton and Kelamon likely to be there or thereabouts without proving good enough. We fancied Mac Gille Eoin at Goodwood four days, and to be fair he did not run a bad race, beaten just over a length-and-a-half at the finish. Jim Crowley produced the three-year-old with a strong burst at the Sussex track, but he just tired when it mattered. That was still a good effort considering that he was racing off a 17lb higher mark than when last successful there, and he looks ready to strike winning form again as he bids to collect a second course-and-distance victory. Edge Closer will command support as well, having gained back-to-back wins at Ascot this summer. He now moves up a grade, and if taken on for the lead by the selection, it will be interesting to see how he copes. Of course they could both cut each other's throats, and that would let in Guarantia perhaps, although he did not beat much at Chepstow. Buxton and Kelamon lurk at the bottom of the handicap, and the latter in particular could prove dangerous from his high draw. However, we shall remain loyal to Mac Gille Eoin.
Majuro (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders throughout, not quicken over 1f out, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Lovelace (8-13) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Guarantia 4-5fav (8-12) Went right start and soon led, ridden 2f out, edged right under pressure inside final furlong, driven out, won at Chepstow 7f mdn stk (5) gd beating Turkish Sultan (9-3) by 2l, 15 ran.
Edge Closer 3-1fav (9-6) Made all, driven, in command when hung left final furlong, won at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jul beating Special Day (9-6) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Resplendent Alpha 33-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 8th of 9, 7l behind Genki (8-12) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Mac Gille Eoin 12-1 (9-1) In touch, headway to lead over 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Golden Dixie (9-6) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Mambo Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, gradually faded, 16th of 20, 7l behind Marozi (8-7) at Goodwood 5f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Luscivious 40-1 (8-9) In touch centre group, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Northern Fling (8-13) at York 5f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Buxton 16-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden to dispute 2nd 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Golden Desert (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Kelamon 7-2 (9-1) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 7l behind Bee Eater (9-3) at Warwick 6f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Jul.