chased leaders to 2f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly over 1f out
took keen hold in touch, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened final furlong
behind in touch, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, gaining on winner near finish
led after 2f, ridden, headed over 2f out, kept on until weakened final furlong
behind, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
led 2f, led again over 2f out, headed, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, ridden, effort over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on one pace
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up behind, ridden 2f out, no impression, slightly outpaced over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
Firestreak, Kalahari Gold and Main Aim form our short-list in order of preference. The selection hails from the yard that has won the last two runnings of this race and his greater experience may just stand him in good stead in this contest. He was promising at two but has the pedigree to develop into a better three year old and certainly impressed on his reappearance at Newcastle. We could have done without the handicapper handing him 7lbs for that length and a half defeat but connections have always considered him to be a nice horse and we think that he'll be up to the task. There was certainly a lot to like about Main Aim's debut at Salisbury and the form looks solid enough. As a half-brother to Home Affairs he's bred for better fare but he's also likely to be short enough in the market. Kalahari Gold also made a winning debut at Salisbury and he's interesting from his mark as he had horses rated 85 and 82 well in arrears that day. They may not have run up to their best but he won with plenty to spare despite being interfered with. That experience will stand him in good stead and he's interesting from his current mark. Lindoro could run into the frame again, Brassini should stay this far and has to be of interest with the Millman yard going well and Spencer booked, Elysee Palace is progressive and cannot be ruled out but we're going to take Firestreak to extend the Hannon winning streak.
Dubai Dynamo 33-1 (8-10) Raced stand's side, chased leaders, led group 2f out, ran on until headed and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 28, 2l behind Fifteen Love (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Lindoro 8-1 (9-8) Settled in rear, headway on outer over 1f out, took 2nd 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Stevie Thunder (8-12) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Firestreak 9-1 (9-4) Held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Throne of Power (9-4) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
Nezami (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Always behind, 9th of 11, 14l behind Bellomi (9-4) at Epsom 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Main Aim 4-5fav (9-3) Pulled hard, shaken up over 2f out, good headway over 1f outg, strong run and quickened well inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun beating Carniolan (9-3) by a nk, 9 ran.
Brassini 13-2 (9-7) Prominent, led after 2f, headed 2f out, soon ridden, kept on, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Shifting Star (9-3) at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Elysee Palace (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, held on well towards finish, won at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May beating San Jose City (8-10) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Smokey Rye 15-8fav (9-4) In touch, close up, chased clear winner soon after, 2nd of 7, 6l behind American Art (9-4) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, not clear run 2f out to over 1f out, switched right and stayed on final furlong, 4th of 11, 5l behind Spirit of A Nation (9-7) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Kalahari Gold (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, switched left, headway 2f out, slowly hampered over 1f out, led final 100 yards, ran on well, won at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun beating Credit Swap (9-3) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Non Sucre (USA) 8-1 (9-4) With leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, edged left and headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 6th of 11, 9l behind Spirit of A Nation (9-7) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
