mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon chasing leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on
towards rear and pushed along, no impression
behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon beaten
towards rear, effort 2f out, kept on
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
behind, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear
close up, weakened over 1f out
Divine Spirit and Blue Aura are sure to have their supporters in this handicap but we will side with Harrison's Flyer as our idea of the winner. The selection has enjoyed a fair level of success this season and he is maintaining his form well on the evidence of his most recent second behind Our Fugitive at Chepstow. That effort came on heavy ground but today's ground conditions are much more suitable and he looks the percentage call. Divine Spirit is an obvious danger as he won well on Tuesday at Beverley and he was only beaten a short-head by Compton Classic at Ayr previously. He doesn't win very often but he is clearly up to getting competitive again off his current mark. Blue Aura is another on a handy mark at present and he wasn't beaten far by Desert Opal last time. He was well-backed that day and it will be interesting to see if the money arrives for him again here. The booking of Kerren McEvoy catches the eye for Controvento and he is another that should be noted in the market. However, Harrison's Flyer looks a safer bet and he is taken to score.
Puskas (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out, 12th of 13, 5l behind Malapropism (9-1) at Windsor 5f hcap (5) gf in Jul.
Controvento (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 10l behind Misaro (9-2) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
Blue Aura (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) In rear, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to take 2nd close home, gaining finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Desert Opal (9-5) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jul.
Matsunosuke 7-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, driven and stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Whinhill House (8-6) at Thirsk 5f app hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Harrison's Flyer (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, always just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Our Fugitive (9-3) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Jul.
Blessed Place 8-1 (8-11) Broke fast, led and soon clear far side rail, ridden 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, headed near finish, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Desert Opal (9-5) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jul.
Bobby Rose 14-1 (8-13) In touch, effort in centre to lead narrowly inside final furlong, soon hung left, headed near finish, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Makabul (9-13) at Windsor 6f hcap (5) gs in Jul.
Monte Major (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Prominent until lost place halfway, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Katie Boo (9-0) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jul.
Sands Crooner (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon one pace, 6th of 12, 5l behind Silver Prelude (8-10) at Yarmouth 5f hcap (5) gf in Jul.
Divine Spirit 7-2jt-fav (8-10) In touch, ridden along halfway, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) in Jul beating Melalchrist (9-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Danjet (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Chased leaders 3f, 7th of 8, 7l behind Black Moma (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
