held up towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ridden and no extra final furlong
led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, chased along over 3f out, soon beaten
prominent, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace
never better than mid-division
held up, pushed along when weakened over 2f out, soon eased
slow into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up mid-division, not much room on inner over 2f out, pushed along and not much room over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead entering final furlong, pushed clear
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
Opening Ceremony, Cripsey Brook and Tabadul dominate this contest, with the vote going to Cripsey Brook. Opening Ceremony ran well at Carlisle this week and was just touched off by Graceful Air. Going down by a head, he had earlier run well in defeat at Haydock, and runs well on all types of ground. He is passed over as his Carlisle exertions may just take the edge off his performance. Ed Dunlop¿s Tabadul had been disappointing before winning gamely at Beverley and that form has worked out well. However, he carries top weight here and there is the suspicion that he is inconsistent. Cripsey Brook though is the one they have to beat. A winner over course and distance, he was staying on in good style at Redcar last Saturday and had earlier hit the frame at Haydock. Chris Thornton runs a reduced string these days but he had a winner at Ayr last weekend and is to be respected. Cripsey Brook can take this.
Tabadul (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up behind leaders, switched left 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (4) gf beating Estepona (8-5) by a shd, 10 ran.
Magic Sting 20-1 (7-10) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, soon beaten, 14th of 16, 8l behind Blue Monday (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Oman Gulf (USA) 5-1 (9-10) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 19l behind Strong Hand (9-7) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (4) gd.
Isidore Bonheur (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Lead and soon clear, ran wide bend over 5f out, headed well over 2f out, soon ridden, rallied inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Go Tech (9-7) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (2) frm.
Cripsey Brook 6-1 (8-12) Tracked clear leader, challenged over 2f out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on well under pressure to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, nk behind Go Tech (9-7) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (2) frm.
Stretton (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Held up, not clear run over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, no impression, 9th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Lucayan Dancer (9-3) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) gf.
Opening Ceremony (USA) 9-4fav (9-9) Led after 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, hd behind Graceful Air (8-9) at Carlisle 1m 1f fll hcp (4) gf.
Black Falcon (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always behind, 8th of 13, 13l behind Strong Hand (9-7) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (4) gd.
Mistress Twister 11-1 (8-9) Behind and outpaced, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 10l behind Takes Tutu (9-0) at Redcar 1m hcp (2) gf.
Dancer's Serenade (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Chased winner to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 7l behind Come On Jonny (8-4) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Templet (USA) 50-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 4f out, no impression, 8th of 13, 9l behind Dark Charm (9-5) at Hamilton 1m hcp (4) gd.
Cordage (IRE) 4-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Redcar 1m 3f clm (6) gf in May beating Scotty's Future (9-13) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
John Forbes 10-3 (8-8) Held up, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on towards finish, never near to challenge, 4th of 7, 8l behind Self Respect (8-13) at York 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gs in May.
