led early, held up, ridden over 2f out, soon hung left, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on, held close home
held up, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no threat to front pair
prominent, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
MERCHANT OF MEDICI edges the vote from Chinese Democracy here, with Excellent Thought likely to take home minor prize money. Willie Muir's charge took third on his latest outing when stepped back into handicap ranks, having previously landed a Leicester seller in decisive fashion. He's up a pound more here but wasn't beaten far in the end at Catterick and this race looks easier. Chinese Democracy showed a liking for the track here last time and this extra furlong won't harm her chance. She's progressing well at a lowly level and should make a bold bid to defy a 4lb rise providing the visor works again. Having taken an age to get off the mark, her exploits give connections of Excellent Thought hope. She's had eight starts without success and has cost followers plenty but she's placed off 3lbs higher at Kempton and seems every bit as effective on turf. Tap Dance Way was eased when her chance had gone at Warwick and is surely better than we've seen, particularly if we take into account the support she attracted that day, so watch the market again as a pointer to her chance. Kate Skate has a talented claimer aboard but that was also the case last time; she basically looks distinctly average and connections will do well to find her a race, while Mount Juliet is bred to be better than she's shown but so far appears best on artificial surfaces, so we'll return to Merchant Of Medici.
Pycian 20-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 26l behind Brannagh (9-5) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Mount Juliet (IRE) 15-2 (8-4) Soon pushed along in rear, last of 10, 7l behind Fly Silca Fly (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Merchant Of Medici 6-4fav (9-1) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Just The Tonic (8-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Royal Blade (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Chased leader until over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Sir Frank Wappat (9-0) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Tap Dance Way (IRE) 10-3fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, took keen hold towards rear, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 16l behind Mellifera (9-3) at Windsor 1m flls hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Chinese Democracy (USA) 9-1 (9-0) Took keen hold early stages, soon steadied to mid-division near rail, headway over 1f out, switched right to rail entering final furlong, strong run to lead close home, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Titus Gent (9-9) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Kate Skate 7-1 (8-8) Awkwardly away, headway to lead after 1f, ridden inside final furlong, headed 1f out, soon no chance with winner, lost place well inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Batgirl (8-10) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Sonny G (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Went right start, soon crossed over to lead on rail, ridden and headed just over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 7l behind Grand Zafeen (9-5) at Folkestone 6f 3yo app hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Excellent Thought 25-1 (9-2) Bumped start, mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 4l behind Stefanki (9-1) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Nelson's Bounty 33-1 (9-4) Keen in rear, never near leader, 8th of 11, 17l behind Aktia (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Chandrayaan 8-1 (8-8) Outpaced and always towards rear, 7th of 8, 22l behind Sheila Toss (9-7) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Force To Spend 14-1 (8-13) Keen held up, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and staying on when hampered inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Regal Rave (9-2) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm.
Adoyen Spice 25-1 (8-8) Hampered start, prominent, lost place over 3f out, 9th of 11, 20l behind Denton Ryal (8-6) at Salisbury 1m 3yo app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
