behind, headway 3f out, ridden to press winner over 1f out, every chance, no extra inside final furlong and lost 2nd last strides
steadied start, towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on, took 2nd last strides, not reached winner
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression on leaders final 2f
mid-division, lost place and in rear over 5f out, never dangerous afterwards
led and set good pace, pressed 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader to halfway, stayed prominent until weakened quickly over 2f out, soon tailed off
steadied start, settled in rear, headway going well over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon pressed, ran on well
tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, pressed leader 3f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no headway 2f out, stayed on one pace
Aureate romped home in the mud at Chester and can repeat that victory here under a 6lb penalty. Sphinx, Toparudi and Picacho make it to the shortlist. Mark Johnston's colt appreciate the return to a mile and a half when scoring in facile fashion at Chester. The field that day was depleted because of the rain, but it was still an impressive run and assuming he get this extra two furlongs, he could be hard to beat. Dark Parade is consistent and whilst he is just out of the handicap, he stays well so shouldn't be written off. Picacho was tapped for toe when last seen and if ridden more aggressively, he can make the frame although he may just be a better hurdler than he is a flat horse. Brigadore hints as if there is more improvement to come (will need to be based on his recent outings) but he would prefer better ground, whilst Toparudi needs to bounce back from a poor run last time out. Sphinx is a solid performer and goes on the ground so warrants respect. Mostarsil is a course and distance winner so could go well at a price, however Aureate is in good form and can win again.
Sphinx (FR) 14-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, headway to chase winner 3f out, kept on but no impression, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Bollin Derek (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in May.
Desert Sea (IRE) 6-1 (8-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression, 4th of 10, 11l behind Colloquial (8-8) at Haydock 2m hcap (2) gf in Jun.
Stoop To Conquer 9-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 31l behind Full House (9-5) at Goodwood 2m hcap (4) gd in May.
Mostarsil (USA) 12-1 (8-9) Always behind, last of 8, 8l behind Mustajed (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Aureate 11-8fav (9-1) Tracked leader, led 6f out, drew clear from over 4f out, in no danger, ridden from over 1f out, won at Chester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Jun beating Yossi (8-13) by 19l, 4 ran.
Brigadore (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 8, 12l behind Alfonso (8-7) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
Toparudi 5-1 (9-1) Dwelt, held up in rear, pulled very hard, headway to lead over 8f out, heade d and weakened well over 2f out, 10th of 12, 39l behind Dhehdaah (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Picacho (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Steadied start, keen and soon chasing leaders, lost place 6f out, headway over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Squiffy (8-2) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Dark Parade (ARG) 5-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, led 5f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 6l behind They All Laughed (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) gs in May.
