led and set steady pace, quickened tempo and pushed along over 2f out, ridden and hung right to near side rail over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost two places in closing stages
took keen hold tracking leading pair, ridden when hampered on near side rail and switched left over 1f out, not clear run and switched left again final 100 yards, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, took 3rd last strides
steadied start, held up, pushed along over 2f out, soon not quicken, stayed on under pressure into 2nd well inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong ran on well, ridden out
Nonrunner
Three-year-olds have a poor recent record though there's no denying the chance of Portamento, who deserves this step-up in grade after landing a strong handicap at Chester. He's still improving and looks certain to be involved in the finish though AEOLUS could just have too much experience for him. Ed Walker's charge carries a penalty for a Group 3 victory at Newcastle but can score again at this level though he wouldn't want the ground to turn too quick. Likewise Musical Comedy, who only runs if the ground is suitable but would have a definite chance if there is some rain. Watchable was behind the selection at Newcastle and is just 3lb better off though he's happier on fast going and neither Divine nor Strath Burn are out of this.
Watchable 3-1fav (9-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, kept on and weakened towards finish, 5th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Aeolus (9-3) at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Divine (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra final 75 yards, 6th of 14, 2 3/4l behind New Providence (8-12) at York 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Jul.
Portamento (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Held up, headway and switched left over 1f out, switched right and went 2nd inside final furlong, led towards finish, ran on, won at Chester 6f hcp (2) gf in Jul beating Anonymous John (8-9) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Strath Burn 1-10fav (9-5) Led early, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, eased towards finish, won at Doncaster 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Jul beating Tap Shoes (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Aeolus 12-1 (9-3) In rear, headway over 1f out, kept on to lead close home, won at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Jun beating Mattmu (9-2) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Musical Comedy 7-2 (8-11) Held up in rear and in touch, ridden and kept on inside final furlong to take 3rd place towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Angelic Lord (8-10) at Haydock 6f stks (2) gs in Jul.
