made all, set good pace, ridden clear 2f out, ran on strongly, eased inside final furlong
tracked winner throughout, no chance with winner from 2f out, kept on but lost 2nd inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden 3f out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden and no impression on 2f out, soon weakened and eased
held up 3rd, no chance with winner but stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong
held up behind, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
started slowly, soon in touch, ridden and weakened from 3f out
towards rear, under pressure 3f out, never a factor
in rear, headway from over 2f out, on inside, not clear run over 1f out, ran on final furlong nearest finish
Topkat gets the vote here, with his biggest dangers looking to be Mokaraba, Serbelloni, Niobe's Way and Pass The Port. Topkat looked progressive when scoring at Salisbury last time and he rates a big danger to all from what could be a very favourable mark, even though he is three pounds worse off for the two lengths he finished ahead of Flotta that day, the latter remaining on a winning mark. Following a Thirsk maiden win, Mokaraba ran well when fourth to reliable benchmark Come On Jonny at Haydock last time and, sure to appreciate the step up in trip today, looks set to go well. All Star holds claims racing from same mark as when second to Sian Thomas at Newbury last time, while Pass The Port is consistent and remains on a competitive mark. That last comment also applies to Serbelloni, who ran pretty well at Newbury last time and today's better going will probably suit better. Even though he is not as good as he once was, Moon Emperor might get placed from his current mark, but Bobsleigh is becoming frustrating. Niobe's Way could be on a very interesting mark based on his maiden form of last year, while, finally, the Barney Curley runner, Cristoforo, won over hurdles last time but is now 14 pounds above a winning mark on Turf. It all adds up to an interesting race, in which the vote goes to Topkat.
Cristoforo (IRE) 5-4fav (10-13) Held up, headway going well over 3f out, quickened to lead inside final 2f, soon clear, very easily, won at Windsor 1m 4f amt hcp 0-75 (E) gf in Aug beating Stolen Song (10-8) by 3l, 14 ran.
Flotta 3-1fav (9-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, effort over 2f out, weakened close home, 7th of 10, 3l behind Topkat (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Topkat (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Steadied start and held up, headway and switched left over 2f out, ridden and ran on well from 1f out, led final stride, won at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jun beating Salute (9-11) by a nk, 10 ran.
Serbelloni 13-2 (9-10) Towards rear, ridden 4f out, headway from over 2f out, kept on, 4th of 17, 6l behind Dickie Deadeye (8-8) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Pass The Port 5-1 (9-7) Tracked winner, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Lets Roll (9-8) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (3) gs in Jun.
All Star (GER) 7-2 (9-5) In touch, pushed along 4f out, headway to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sian Thomas (9-2) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Mokaraba 15-2 (8-5) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Come On Jonny (8-4) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Niobe's Way 20-1 (8-5) Mid division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 5l behind Inchpast (8-12) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Bobsleigh 14-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, weakened 4f out, 15th of 20, 37l behind Heart Springs (8-5) at Bath 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
Moon Emperor 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on near finish, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Mersey Sound (7-12) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Mixing 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to chase leaders inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Celticello (9-0) at Ripon 1m 3yo mdn (5) sft in May.
