prominent, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on under pressure, not pace of winner
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, driven clear entering final furlong, ran on strongly
led until over 2f out, soon outpaced
Dragon Moon won over 6f at Lingfield last month but has a bit to prove over today’s trip judged on an earlier attempt at Chester. Nicklaus won a lower grade contest at Newbury recently and is 6lb higher but can go close again for a yard in flying form though PREVENT is just preferred. The latter was beaten only a neck at Ascot a fortnight ago and a repeat effort should see Ralph Beckett’s charge come out best on this occasion. Watheer should be noted on only his second start after a wind operation and makes more appeal than Corazon Espinado.
Dragon Moon (USA) 11-8fav (9-8) Tracked leader, driven to lead inside final 2f, soon hard pressed, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f stks (5) gf in Jun beating Brexit Time (9-1) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Prevent 4-1fav (8-13) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, soon rallied, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 14, nk behind Perfect Hustler (9-3) at Ascot 7f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Nicklaus 5-2jfav (9-5) Held up, pushed along 2f out, headway and switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, readily, won at Newbury 7f hcp (5) gf in Jul beating Vincenzo Coccotti (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Watheer 20-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Racing Country (9-7) at Ascot 1m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Corazon Espinado (IRE) 2-1fav (9-2) Led, ridden inside final 2f, headed 1f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Aquarium (9-4) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
