tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, ridden to soon lead, headed over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, led again 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
with leader, led over 6f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven out
pulled hard, held up, switched left, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on well close home
steady start, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Sea Hunter is in great form at present and is selected to land a four-timer at the expense of Benedict, Coup d'Etat and Diamonds And Dust. The fitting of a visor has been the making of Sea Hunter who ended a long losing run when scoring here in June, and since then he has added to that with game wins at Chester and Leicester, very different tracks. Despite rising over stone in the weights since his run started, he can still be fancied thanks to his battling attitude, and he is worth chancing back over today's trip. With Chris Catlin in the saddle again, he is the one to beat. Benedict was such an easy winner over the course and distance last month that it is no surprise to see him line up off an eight-pound higher mark. Not out of the first three all season, John Berry's inmate can give the selection most to do. Coup d'Etat comes from a stable in form and will appreciate the underfoot conditions more than at Goodwood last time, and he meets Diamonds And Dust on four-pound better terms for a head defeat on softer ground here in July. It should be a close-run contest on paper, but the in-form Sea Hunter will do for us.
Park Romance (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway and switched left approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Maids Causeway (8-8) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll Grp 3 (A) gf in Aug '04.
Sea Hunter 12-1 (9-0) Close up, led halfway, hung left over 1f out, edged right and ridden out final furlong, won at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Sky Crusader (8-12) by a nk, 12 ran.
Coup d'Etat 11-2 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 9l behind Tagula Sunrise (8-2) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Jul.
Diamonds And Dust 33-1 (8-5) Always towards rear, 14th of 15, 5l behind Roman Maze (8-4) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Benedict 11-4fav (9-2) Held up in touch, led over 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug beating Rustler (8-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
Perfect Choice (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Raced stand side, mid-division, weakened over 3f out, 14th of 15, 44l behind Blaise Hollow (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Prince Samos (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 5th of 11, 2l behind Desert Cristal (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Gold Queen 25-1 (8-8) Keen hold, ridden in rear 3f out, always behind, last of 7, 21l behind Musicanna (9-0) at Sandown 1m lst fll stk (1) sft in Aug.
