mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, headway, hung left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway and switched left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden, headway over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, soon switched right, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden, every chance when hampered over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led after 1f, headed over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
broke well, soon mid-division, ridden 5f out, soon behind, eased final 2f
held up, headway, switched right over 2f out, ridden, hung left over 1f out, every chance when edged right inside final furlong, held when hung left towards finish
prominent, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, headed, no extra inside final furlong
led 1f, prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, always towards rear
always towards rear
held up, ridden, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest at finish
held up, switched left over 3f out, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon hung left, ran on
The Jim Boyle-trained Dance On The Top gets the vote over Adoration and Out For A Stroll, with King Of Blues another to bear in mind from the rest. King Of Blues is less exposed than a few of these and may well improve for the fitting of a first-time visor. Any cut in the ground may be a worry for him though and it may be prudent to get a guide from the on-course market before taking a chance with the son of Bluebird. Out For A Stroll justified favouritism in good style at Yarmouth earlier in the week. A 6lb penalty is not expected to be too much of a problem and he is another that should make a bold bid. Adoration has faced some stiff tests this season and deserves a fair bit of credit after winning twice and making the frame on a further three occasions. However, the cracks in his armour are there for all to see and needs a little bit of luck on his side today. Therefore, it can be rewarding to chance a small play with Dance To The Top, who is a reliable performer in this sort of contest and, as he comes here after a series of good efforts, we know what to expect from this game performer.
Burley Flame 8-1 (9-5) Behind centre, switched right and headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Roman Maze (9-5) at Redcar 7f hcp (4) gf.
Dance On The Top 12-1 (9-2) Chased leader, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, edged left and no extra final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Granston (9-9) at Leicester 1m hcp (4) gd.
Grey Boy (GER) 14-1 (8-12) Led to 6f out, tracked leader to over 2f out, weakened quickly, 20th of 21, 32l behind Plectrum (9-1) at Goodwood 1m hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Adoration 13-2 (8-4) Led, kept on well from 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, soon outpaced, 2nd of 14, 2l behind James Caird (9-11) at Goodwood 1m 1f app hcp (3) gs in Jul.
King of Blues (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) In touch, under pressure from halfway, stayed on final 2f, never going pace to trouble leaders, 4th of 14, 6l behind Goodwood Spirit (9-1) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Balearic Star (IRE) 7-2co-fav (9-4) Led, headed inside final 3f, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 8l behind Alpine Reel (9-4) at Windsor 1m stk 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Meelup (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 9l behind James Caird (9-11) at Goodwood 1m 1f app hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Out For A Stroll 3-1fav (9-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, edged left and led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Yarmouth 1m hcp (6) gf beating Roar Blizzard (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 19 ran.