chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened, eased considerably inside final furlong
held up, headway to chase leaders after 2f, ridden and edged left over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, hung left from 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent until weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, lost place 3f out, stayed on again final furlong, never dangerous
slowly into stride, held up, short lived effort 3f out
slowly into stride, held up, edged left over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
Gramm will be a decent price against Yankee George and Sir Xaar and we will side with him here. He came to Sandown racecourse on debut as an outsider but he was backed off the boards to score on that day and the issue was soon beyond doubt at an early stage. This is a step up in class but he has been the subject of plenty of positive homework and we will back him where it matters. Yankee George is a sort who shows maturity beyond his years. He battled tenaciously under pressure at Doncaster and looks very much on the improve. Silent Times went into many notebooks with a facile success in a maiden at York. His trainer's runners are not in such good form now so he might just be worth taking on. Sir Xaar was a little disappointing in the Superlative Stake but today represents a huge step down in relation to class. He has always looked a seven furlong type and won't be too far away at this level. Close To You's victory at Lingfield was followed by talk of an entry in the Solario Stakes or a similar contest. This isn't up to that level but he will have to be on song to give away the penalties here. Crocodile Bay is likely to ensure that they go a frenetic pace in the early stages. Wilson Star is relatively unexposed but looks likely to appreciate a step up in trip. The fact he hails from an unfashionable yard may make him a few points bigger than he should be. A good race that can go to Gramm.
Close To You (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) In touch, headway 2f out, led 1f out, soon clear, won at Lingfield 7f nov stk (5) pol beating Ocean Pride (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Yankee George (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) Prominent, ridden to chase leader over 2f out until 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4l behind City of Troy (8-7) at Newbury 7f 2yo stk (3) gf.
Calvera 25-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, some late headway, 6th of 7, 6l behind Close To You (9-0) at Lingfield 7f nov stk (5) pol.
Sir Xaar (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Prominent, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Horatio Nelson (8-11) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs.
Silent Times (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Made all, quickened clear 2f out, driven out final furlong, won at York 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs beating Sweet Lime (9-0) by 5l, 13 ran.
Gramm 5-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, headway and switched left over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, readily, won at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd beating Zizou (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Wilson Star (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Assertive (8-11) at Newbury 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Yarqus 40-1 (8-9) Behind, ran slightly green 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Johnny The Fish (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Always Turn Left (IRE) 100-1 (8-2) Behind, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no danger, 7th of 17, 9l behind Suesam (8-4) at Newbury 6f 2yo fll mdn aut (5) gf in Jun.
Lady Cree (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Raced stands side, started slowly, behind and soon pushed along driven and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn fll aut (5) gd beating Shinko (7-13) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Crocodile Bay (IRE) 9-4 (8-7) Ridden and hung right 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, weakened quickly and eased towards finish, 7th of 8, 6l behind Sir Percy (8-6) at Salisbury 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Jun.
