The classy Reverence can get back to winning ways at the expense of Wi Dud and Appalachian Trail to name but two. Although saddled with a penalty here, Reverence should be far too good for his rivals, now that he has had a prep race at Sandown to put him spot on. Stricken by a leg injury during the winter, Eric Alston's stable star will again be aimed at all the top sprints, with his main objective being a follow-up bid in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Also successful in the Haydock Sprint Cup and a gallant second in the Prix de L'Abbaye, it is hard to see any of today's rivals pushing him to the limit, and connections will be shocked if he does not collect. The three-year-old Wi Dud had the selection and The Tatling behind when chasing home Hoh Mike at Sandown, and should go well with his age allowance, but we will be surprised if he maintains the form here. The rest are basically very good handicappers and Listed performers in the main, but Appalachian Trail was not disgraced in Group 3 company at Newcastle last time, albeit on testing ground, and may run into a place. However, Reverence gets a confident vote en-route to the Nunthorpe.
Reverence 5-2fav (9-11) Tracked leader, led inside final 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Hoh Mike (8-12) at Sandown 5f Grp 3 (1) gs.
Bygone Days 18-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 21, 4 1/2l behind Soldier's Tale (9-4) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Al Qasi (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 10th of 21, 6l behind Soldier's Tale (9-4) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Appalachian Trail (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on, headed near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Confuchias (9-0) at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Ashdown Express (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Held up in centre group, some late headway, 13th of 26, 10l behind Dark Missile (8-6) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gd in Jun.
Assertive 66-1 (9-4) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly well over 1f out, 16th of 21, 12l behind Soldier's Tale (9-4) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 17th of 18, 12l behind Sakhee's Secret (8-13) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gf.
Baltic King 50-1 (9-4) Settled towards rear, steady headway from 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 21, 4 1/2l behind Soldier's Tale (9-4) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Fayr Jag (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Blind left on when stalls opened, went badly right, not recover, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Confuchias (9-0) at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
The Tatling (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Hoh Mike (8-12) at Sandown 5f Grp 3 (1) gs.
Tony James (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon edged right and kept on, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Viking Spirit (9-11) at Chepstow 6f hcap (2) sft.
Welsh Emperor (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on, 4th of 10, 1l behind Silver Touch (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Drayton (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Keen, soon led, headed over 1f out, 11th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Sakhee's Secret (8-13) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gf.
Sonny Red (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, effort 2f out, not quicken, 6th of 15, 7l behind Tariq (9-1) at Ascot 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Wi Dud 13-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, kept on well until headed and not pace of winner close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Hoh Mike (8-12) at Sandown 5f Grp 3 (1) gs.
