close up, ridden and every chance when hung right over 1f out and left, held when hampered inside final furlong
tracked leader, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, hung left inside final furlong, stayed on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra
held up in touch, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on
pulled hard, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, not pace to challenge
The unexposed Tax Free will be hard to beat if he produces the level of progression expected of him today. The unexposed Banjo Patterson along with Malcheek and Woodcote are fancied to throw down the strongest challenges from the rest. Woodcote was no match for the selection when they met over course and distance last month. However, he is now 5lb better off at the weights today and has to be considered as a capable performer on the best of his form. His supporters will have to forgive him a poor run from last time out, though. Malcheek has plenty more to offer and is well worth another try over six furlongs. The likely strong pace will help him and Tim Easterby's charge looks to be good value for each-way players to consider. Banjo Patterson has gone from strength-to-strength this season and his shrewd connections can be confident that he has shown enough already to merit a crack in this grade of competition. Quite how confident they are will be reflected by the market, so this son of Green Desert will be dangerous to ignore if the vibes are strong. However, preference just goes to Tax Free, who is really on a roll at present. David Nicholls has been selective in finding an opening for this well regarded type. But the fact that he was, at one, brief stage, considering a crack at the Stewards Cup with the three-year-old, is a solid guide as to how much potential the Thirsk-based trainer thinks Tax Free has within him. This is a lot easier and he can be expected to go very close for us today.
Coleorton Dancer 14-1 (9-4) Raced far side, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 18th of 20, 12l behind Tax Free (8-0) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
Excusez Moi (USA) 66-1 (8-5) Held up mid-division stands' side, ridden along over 2f out, never nearer, 9th of 24, 4l behind New Seeker (9-4) at Newbury 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Pike Bishop (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Well outpaced in rear, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 15, 6l behind Gimasha (8-4) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Kissing Lights (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden halfway, kept on one pace, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Mecca's Mate (8-13) at Ayr 5f lst fll stk (1) gf in Jul.
Don Pele (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and no chance when squeezed out over 2f out, 14th of 15, 17l behind Tagula Sunrise (8-2) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Jul.
King's Gait 66-1 (8-5) Dwelt, raced behind stand side group, ridden halfway, one pace and no chance with far side group, 12th of 19, 7l behind Orphan (7-12) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Malcheek (IRE) 5-2fav (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Breaking Shadow (8-5) at York 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Orphan (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden and outpaced halfway, kept on final furlong, no impression, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Danzili Bay (9-4) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Distinctly Game 100-1 (9-9) Chased leaders on stands' side until weakened over 1f out, 25th of 27, 12l behind Gift Horse (9-7) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Woodcote (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Raced stand's side, always behind, last of 18, 14l behind Corridor Creeper (9-10) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Tax Free (IRE) 10-1 (8-0) Raced far side, tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon overall leader, ran on well, won at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul beating Woodcote (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 20 ran.
Banjo Patterson 4-6fav (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, kept on, won at Yarmouth 7f hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Idle Power (9-7) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Dahteer (IRE) 40-1 (8-1) Raced stand side, held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 10th of 20, 5l behind Tax Free (8-0) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
