held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, ridden out
tracked leaders, effort on inner over 1f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, behind, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached winner
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
led, hung left under pressure over 1f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out
THE GURU OF GLOOM has a progressive profile having won his maiden at Beverley before posting a better effort when second at Leicester on his handicap bow. Willie Muir's charge is dropping down a grade here and could prove the one to beat. Mon Visage ended last year with a win at Wolverhampton and shaped well enough on his return to be considered for this, while Dark Isle also has claims on his earlier second at Warwick. Hawk Moth and Roman Strait are others with placed form that also gives them a chance.
Dark Isle 9-2 (9-0) Chased winner until over 4f out, chased leading pair, one pace and no impression final 2f, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Power Punch (9-0) at Beverley 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
The Guru Of Gloom (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Keen tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Lightning Cloud (9-3) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Mon Visage 8-1 (9-4) Stumbled and went right start, held up, switched right and headway over 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Moone's My Name (9-5) at Leicester 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Flashbang 18-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Bianca De Medici (9-2) at Windsor 6f flls hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Greek Islands (IRE) 22-1 (9-6) Fly jumped start in rear, kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 8th of 14, 10l behind Al Burkaan (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Rafella (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Slowly away, always behind, last of 14, 21l behind Firstknight (9-2) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in May.
Silly Billy (IRE) 22-1 (8-12) Always last, never a factor, last of 7, 13l behind Redvers (9-8) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Hawk Moth (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, soon strongly challenged, headed close home, kept on, 2nd of 7, ns behind Starwatch (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Roman Strait 4-1fav (9-5) Raced centre, in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Brave Dream (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.