raced centre, held up, headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, soon eased
raced centre, in touch, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on well
raced centre, held up towards rear, headway halfway, soon ridden, eased well over 1f out
raced centre, held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer
raced centre, held up in touch, effort over 2f out, soon lost place
raced centre, prominent, led halfway, ridden and challenged well over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
raced centre, held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish
raced alone stands side and well on terms, ridden and hung right and joined main group over 1f out, stayed on well
raced centre, behind, some late headway, never nearer
raced centre, led until halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out
Abraham Lincoln is interesting despite top-weight but it is THEBES who can be rewarded for his consistency and he can see off Striking Spirit and Jimmy Styles. Mark Johnston's gelding didn't catch the eye before his last race at the track as he looked like a long season was catching up with him. However his performance belied his looks as he lost little caste in defeat to Evens And Odds and with the ground no problem, he is fancied to run another big race. Recent winner Striking Spirit has a 7lb rise in the weights for his Ascot win earlier this month but he looks a good acquisition by current connections and cannot be overlooked, along with former Ballydoyle inmate Abraham Lincoln and also the consistent Everymanforhimself. Silver Wind sneaks in at the bottom of the weights on his return after a three-month break, whilst money for Ebraam or Orpinindeed would be interesting. Musaalem looked very promising last year but signed off with a poor run and he has a little to prove, although he might be best caught fresh. Jimmy Styles is another to consider given his near miss last time out but it is Thebes who can lead them home.
Abraham Lincoln (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up, headway 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Valery Borzov (9-4) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) sft.
Jimmy Styles 2-1fav (9-2) Mid-division, switched left 2f out, soon ridden into 2nd, kept on, not reached winner, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Striking Spirit (8-8) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Striking Spirit 7-1 (8-8) Made all, hung right from 3f out, ridden out, won at Ascot 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf beating Jimmy Styles (9-2) by 1l, 12 ran.
Musaalem (USA) 4-1fav (9-0) Held up behind leaders, driven over 1f, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 11l behind Chief Editor (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcap (2) gf in Sep.
Mac Gille Eoin 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 5l behind Evens And Odds (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Thebes 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Evens And Odds (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Everymanforhimself (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 15, shd behind Internationaldebut (8-10) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Orpenindeed (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Chased winner until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 16l behind Taqdeyr (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Ebraam (USA) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Striking Spirit (8-8) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Silver Wind 25-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and ran wide on bend over 1f out, soon held, 5th of 7, 4l behind Orchard Supreme (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f 4yo stk (2) pol in Jan.
Sammy The Snake (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Chased leader, ridden and lost place over 3f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong, last of 9, 42l behind Beacon Lodge (9-7) at Haydock 7f Listed stks (1) gd.
