tracked leader, driven along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride and behind, smooth progress over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
made all, shaken up and quickened clear over 1f out, pushed out
towards rear, effort over 3f out, never a factor
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong
in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, outpaced and behind over 3f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
Aviemore may have run too badly to be true at Yarmouth last time but Sir Michael Stoute's colt can hardly be backed with confidence on the basis of that performance and preference is for Political Intrigue, who gets the vote over In The Lead. The last mentioned has shown progressive form with every step up in trip that she has tackled but John Dunlop's filly needs to improve again if she is to get the better of the selection. Mark Johnston's Rule For Ever was well held in an admittedly better maiden than this at Haydock last time and is difficult to recommend, while Peter Chapple-Hyam's Mineko beat only one home on her reappearance at Newmarket. Alan Swinbank's Tannenberg ran better at Redcar last time but this looks tougher and a safer bet looks to be Political Intrigue. Henry Cecil's colt left debut form behind him when chasing home Song Of Songs at Doncaster last month. The winner there had earlier shown decent form in a race that has worked out well at Sandown and that run at Town Moor looks to be the best on offer.
Tannenberg (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Patronage (8-8) at Redcar 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
Aviemore 10-3 (9-0) Disputed lead until over 3f out, eased final 2f, last of 10, well behind Subtle Affair (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo mdn (5) gs in May.
Political Intrigue 12-1 (8-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Song of Songs (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f mdn stk (4) gf in Jun.
Rule For Ever 7-1 (8-9) Prominent, soon pushed along, lost place after 5f, no danger after, 9th of 13, 22l behind Ebtikaar (8-9) at Haydock 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in May.
Egeria (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 6, 7l behind Remaal (8-9) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
In The Lead (USA) 6-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, headway 3f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Albahja (8-11) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo mdn fll (5) gf in Jun.
Melody Que (IRE) 16-1 (7-13) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out and soon weakened, 6th of 9, 18l behind Little Miss Gracie (8-2) at Hamilton 1m fll stk (3) gs in Jun.
Mineko 25-1 (8-9) Chased leaders to halfway, 12th of 13, 22l behind Something (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.