behind, ridden and outpaced 4f out, never dangerous
led after 3f, ridden over 1f out, kept on, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner
mid-division on outside, effort 3f out to 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
tracked leaders, headway 3f out, ridden when not much room 2f out, no impression final furlong
led 3f, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, lost place 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge
tracked leader, ridden and lost place well over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division on inside, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
soon towards rear, weakened 3f out, lost touch 2f out, tailed off
slowly into stride, behind, lost over 2f out, tailed off
SABORIDO could represent value here and gets the vote to beat Gaselee, with Royal Trooper another to consider in an interesting finale. Our selection improved towards the end of last season when stepped up to this sort of trip, so it was no great surprise to see him struggle on his return over a mile and a half. That effort should've helped put him spot on for this though, so with Jim Crowley back on board and conditions likely to suit the four-year-old is taken to get the better of Gaselee. Rae Guest's filly ran well when taking second last time and gets to race off the same mark here, so with Ryan Moore in the saddle she's highly likely to attract her fair share of support. However, the Goodwood handicap in which she took second was arguably weaker than this and she can be taken on at the likely odds. Royal Trooper finished behind Smugglers Bay and King In Waiting when the trio met at York last time, but James Given's charge is considered the one most likely to benefit for this two-furlong drop in distance and is therefore taken to reverse that particular line of form. That said, he's out of a Saddler's Wells mare and may just require some rain if he's to take home first prize. Ursis is nicely treated on his rating over hurdles but he's evidently had his problems; he'd been off the track for nine months before a below-par effort over timber last time. With that in mind he arrives with questions to answer and can be opposed along with the mare Miss Keck who has claims from a handicapping perspective but needs to leave her seasonal return behind. This race has an open look to it but the grey Saborido is taken to continue his progression by landing the spoils.
Basalt (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 10f out, headed 5f out, ridden and soon lost place, 6th of 7, 21l behind King's Salute (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Royal Trooper (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) In touch in main group, closed on leaders 8f out and soon went 3rd, ridden 3f out, effort 2f out, hung right 1f out, lost 2nd post, in a race won by Hollins (9-4) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May, 13 ran.
Ursis (FR) 14-1 (8-3) Close up, weakened over 4f out, soon tailed off, last of 9, well behind Swingkeel (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jul.
Gaselee (USA) 5-1fav (9-10) Took keen hold, always prominent, ridden to challenge and every chance from 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind On Terms (9-2) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Saborido (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leading pair, pushed along 5f out, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 8, 7l behind Maslak (8-10) at Newbury 1m 4f app hcp (5) gf in May.
Miss Keck 7-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, kept on until one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 8l behind Red Wine (8-10) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, unable to quicken entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish to grab 3rd post, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Dan's Heir (8-8) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
King In Waiting (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) In touch in main group, headway over 3f out to chase leaders, staying on when short of room 1f out, rallied to go 4th post, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Hollins (9-4) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Court Princess 22-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 6th of 8, 29l behind Rare Ruby (9-9) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Jetta Joy (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Elaala (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) fbs in Nov '08.
Spruzzo 8-1 (8-12) Chased winner until 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Alloro (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
