slowly into stride, raced stand side, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reached leaders
raced centre, chase winner, ridden 2f out, stayed on, unable to quicken inside final furlong
raced centre, chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
led far side group until over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
raced centre, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
raced far side, behind and detached, never a factor
raced far side, held up in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
raced stands side, held up, switched left, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced centre, made all and overall leader, ridden 2f out, held on gamely
raced stands side, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
raced far side, tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out
raced stands side, led that group until switched centre 4f out and chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace
raced centre, held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
raced stands side, in touch, switched centre 4f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
raced far side, chased leader, led far side group over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced stands side, in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced far side, tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, soon one pace
raced centre, held up, ridden 2f out, no impression
raced centre, mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, raced centre, soon tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Thebes has more to prove than most in this line-up but could run a big race at an each-way price. Much has been made of Mark Johnston's form this season but a trickle of winners has turned into a steady flow in recent days and his runners at the big meetings are always to be feared. The selection made mincemeat of some modest opposition on the all-weather in the spring and appeared to be an exciting prospect. He was put away after winning in March before making his turf debut in the Britannia which was not an obvious move given his pedigree, his relatives which include the speedy and smart Aahayson. He may have only beaten a few home but he showed up well for a long way until his stamina gave out and he's entitled to come on for the run. The drop in trip is in his favour and he should show up well from his low draw. Ancien Regime successfully stepped out of handicap company on Saturday having finished third at York and the Knavesmire form is a key part to this race with no fewer than six horses re-opposing this afternoon. Such is the nature of sprint handicaps that it may not pay to get too bogged down in the detail but it would be no surprise to see the hold-up performers reverse the form with Victorian Bounty, who probably benefited from racing up with the pace that day. Cape Vale didn't line-up in that race but he's a hold-up performer who should be suited by the demands of this track if he gets the breaks from his low draw, this half-brother to Moss Vale is well regarded and should be capable of better yet. It may make sense to have one running for you on each side of the track and, of those drawn high, we like the look of Wise Melody who beat Great Charm in a good time at Ripon and may just be progressing fast enough to keep pace with the handicapper. Good Gorsoon may still be ahead of the assessor but will need all the luck going to get his head in front on the line and wouldn't be one for punters of a nervous disposition whilst Royal Intruder was a shade disappointing last time but could fare better back over a longer trip with Moore back in the saddle. Any number of these have realistic hopes of claiming the glory but we'll go for THEBES who may just be overpriced and should give it a bold shot.
Dohasa (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Brave Prospector (9-0) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Tawaash (USA) 33-1 (9-1) With leader, slight lead 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakening when slightly hampered over 1f out, 10th of 16, 7l behind Aqlaam (9-1) at Royal Ascot 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Spitfire 18-1 (8-13) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, kept on, 5th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Brave Prospector (9-0) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Victorian Bounty 20-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Brave Prospector (9-0) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Lytton 40-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 10th of 19, 6l behind Brave Prospector (9-0) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Carleton 22-1 (8-9) Behind, stayed on well from over 1f out, nearest at finish, 7th of 19, 5l behind Brave Prospector (9-0) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Sophie's Girl 7-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Angus Newz (8-12) at Newmarket 6f fll stk (3) gf in Jun.
Good Gorsoon (USA) 16-1 (8-7) Held up behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 19, 2l behind Brave Prospector (9-0) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Spanish Bounty 25-1 (9-8) Led, headed well inside last furlong, kept on, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Novellen Lad (8-8) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Fervent Prince 33-1 (8-5) Raced far side, slowly away, always in rear, 20th of 28, 15l behind Fifteen Love (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Kaldoun Kingdom (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 11l behind Fathsta (8-10) at York 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf in May.
Great Charm (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, won at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (3) sft beating Dunn'o (8-13) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Royal Intruder 12-1 (8-11) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, not quicken final furlong, 4th of 9, 2l behind Dubai Princess (9-1) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Temple of Thebes (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Close up, tracked leader halfway, led approaching 2f out, soon ridden, hung left final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) gd in May beating Nice Wee Girl (8-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Thebes 25-1 (8-5) Race far side, led group to 7f out, prominent until weakened 2f out, soon well behind, 22nd of 28, 21l behind Fifteen Love (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Wise Melody 13-2 (8-11) Chased leader, ridden to lead 2f out, hung right over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Great Charm (9-2) by 4l, 9 ran.
Cape Vale (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Fervent Prince (8-10) at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
Jeninsky (USA) 28-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 6l behind Masai Moon (9-2) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Wigram's Turn (USA) 12-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 14, 7l behind Fathsta (8-10) at York 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf in May.
Honey Monster (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Great Charm (9-2) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (3) sft.
