chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final 2f, no impression
chased leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner
held up, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly
held up, effort over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, no impression
soon tracking leaders, ridden well over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out, soon tailed off
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off
held up, ridden 4f out, kept on final 2, no impression
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out
led, headed 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off final 2f
held up, outpaced over 4f out, kept on final 2f, no impression
held up, driven 6f out, kept on approaching final furlong, never dangerous
Esprit de Corps is given a narrow vote in what is a wide open stayers race, Thewhirlingdervish and Dan's Heir are just two of many dangers. Sir Mark Prescott's four-year-old has improved with the step up in trip, winning at Beverley, before chasing home Let It Be at Catterick. He isn't blessed with a turn of foot but should be suited by this extra distance and can out-stay his rivals today. Thewhirlingdervish returned to winning ways here last time over a slightly shorter trip. On that running he holds Mister Arjay and Green As Gold and he will be hard to keep out of the money. Dan's Heir took advantage of a lenient mark last time, winning with something in hand, another big run can be expected. As we said at the start though it is a wide open race with Halland and Grasp also respected, but we expect Esprit de Corps to relish this trip and he is selected.
Mister Arjay (USA) 6-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Thewhirlingdervish (8-13) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Kayf Aramis 4-1co-fav (8-10) With leader, challenged on bit over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 15l behind Juniper Girl (8-2) at York 2m 2f hcap (3) sft.
Esprit de Corps 4-5fav (10-3) Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and swerved badly right, headed over 1f out, edged left, chased winner close home, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Let It Be (9-10) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept.
Thewhirlingdervish (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway 6f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs beating Laggan Bay (9-8) by 5l, 11 ran.
Great As Gold (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Held up, ridden over 4f out, headway over 2f out, faded final furlong, 6th of 11, 18l behind Thewhirlingdervish (8-13) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Halland 40-1 (9-1) Held up, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Bollin Derek (9-1) at York 1m 6f hcap (5) sft.
Grasp 12-1 (9-11) Always in rear, eased final 2f, 14th of 15, well behind Serramanna (8-9) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sept.
Dan's Heir 11-1 (8-13) Behind, headway over 4f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gd beating Onyergo (9-6) by 1l, 15 ran.
Great Tidings 10-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed 4f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 4l behind Juniper Girl (8-11) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Rare Coincidence 15-2 (9-8) Led, headed over 5f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 25l behind Irish Ballad (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Calfraz 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on final furlong, no impression, 6th of 16, 8l behind Mister Completely (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcap (6) gf in May.
Totally Scottish 5-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out to chase leaders, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Virginia Rose (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m 6f banded stk (7) gs.
