led and soon clear, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, not pace of winner
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
close up, ridden over 3f out, headway from over 2f out to lead entering final furlong, kept on
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
always behind
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
Horatio Carter's our selection here, in preference to Flying Bantam and Zabeel Tower. The pick has a 6 pound penalty for a runaway success at Carlisle last week; the previous week he'd finished just ahead of Zabeel Tower, who's also run well clear of Botham off a higher weight. Kevin Ryan's charge won't have any problems with cut in the ground, but it could hinder the chances of Flying Bantam, who's now racing off his highest mark for 2 years. Zabeel Tower's versatile and can handle different conditions; he won here in June when it was pretty quick but a week later enjoyed the much softer ground at Chester to make it a quick double. Avontuur needs to be quick away to be involved, but to be first home we'll side with Horatio Carter.
Horatio Carter 6-1 (8-9) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on, won at Carlisle 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd beating Kashimin (8-13) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Flying Bantam (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 9l behind Bel Cantor (8-13) at Pontefract 6f hcap (3) gf in Jul.
Zabeel Tower 11-2 (10-0) Led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Grand Opera (9-12) at Carlisle 7f hcap (5) frm in Jul.
Flores Sea (USA) 6-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Rum Jungle (8-8) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
King Kenny 7-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, hung right and stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Elijah Pepper (8-6) at Pontefract 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Avontuur (FR) 10-1 (9-5) Dwelt, always behind, last of 9, 12l behind Grand Opera (9-12) at Carlisle 7f hcap (5) frm in Jul.
Botham (USA) 8-1 (8-7) Always behind, 8th of 9, 6l behind Grazeon Gold Blend (9-9) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Attacca 40-1 (8-8) In touch, driven 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 8l behind Glenridding (9-2) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.