tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden clear final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in rear, headway 3f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden and outpaced 3f out, rallied inside final furlong
in touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened
ARISTOCLES looked a thorough stayer when beating the in-form Scarpeta over 1m6f at Nottingham as the pace was fierce. The ground was fast that day and this is a shorter trip but the conditions should be in his favour and he can defy a 6lb rise. Mark Johnston trains the runner-up so he should know how he stands with the winner and has Regal Monarch entered. He completed a double last month before finding fast going against him at Musselburgh and these conditions will aid his cause. Muaither appeared to thrive on quick ground for Frankie Dettori at Newbury but this is a slight step up in class and he's 8lb higher. Shoofly landed a Lingfield maiden before finding a York handicap in this grade too tough.
Regal Monarch 7-2fav (8-11) Soon led, hung left 2f out, ridden and soon headed, kept on one pace and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Dal Harraild (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Shoofly (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Behind, outpaced on outer over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on into mid-division inside final furlong, never nearer, 8th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Master Blueyes (9-0) at York 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in May.
Muaither (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Admiral's Sunset (9-5) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Aristocles (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Led 2f, tracked leader until 10f out, switched right off rail over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd again inside final 2f, led entering final furlong, stayed on, won at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Scarpeta (9-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Clear Evidence 11-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 14, 16 3/4l behind Caponova (8-11) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in May.
Free Bounty 11-2 (9-7) Tracked winner after 1f until over 8f out, outpaced over 2f out, went 3rd and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Scarpeta (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in May.
Harlequin Rock 28-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Prosecute (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
