tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up mid-division, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung right and headed inside final furlong, stayed on
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon one pace
held up, smooth headway over 1f out, hard ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Argentum has improved since being upped in trip and gets the nod over Mersey Sound and King Flyer. There may also be more to come from Johnny Rock now that he switches from the All Weather and he is worth noting in the betting. King Flyer is weighted to reverse recent form with Loop The Loup and is capable of emerging on top from that personal battle. However, he was well held off this mark last time and needs everything to fall into place for him today. Mersey Sound likes to hear his hooves rattle and comes into the race on the back of a string of solid performances. He is an honest type that holds an excellent chance of at least making the frame; although the odds may be restricting for an each-way punt. Nevertheless, preference goes to Argentum on this occasion. Two miles on fast ground is absolutely no problem for Lady Herris' charge and, from a lenient mark of just 61, he still has scope for further improvement. Seb Sanders knows the horse well and, with only two rides booked for the day, Argentum looks his best option to help maintain his push for the jockeys title.
King Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Always behind, 11th of 12, 48l behind Finalmente (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Loop The Loup 5-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead well over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Redcar 1m 6f clm (6) gf in Aug beating King Flyer (9-5) by 3l, 7 ran.
Johnny Rook (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at W'hampton 1m 6f app hcp (6) pol in Aug beating Stravmour (9-5) by 13l, 12 ran.
Mersey Sound (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) In touch, switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, not reach leader, 2nd of 14, nk behind In Deep (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Argentum 5-2fav (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Redcar 2m app hcp (5) gf in Jul beating Prairie Sun (9-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Moon Emperor 14-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 14, 8l behind Incroyable (9-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Royal Atalza (FR) 13-2 (8-13) Prominent, joined leader over 9f out, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 10l behind Finalmente (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Empangeni 4-1fav (8-9) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden over 4f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 17, 9l behind Blazing Bailey (8-2) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Taxman (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, never troubled leaders, 6th of 8, 11l behind Tarabut (9-11) at Yarmouth 1m 6f app mdn hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Aug.
Orinocovsky (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Pulled hard, led for 2f, tracked leader to 7f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 12th of 14, 12l behind Incroyable (9-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Unleaded 50-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, reminders halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 14l behind Peak Park (9-2) at Southwell 2m hcp (F4) fbs in Feb.
