mid -division, effort on stands rail and close up 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, effort center to press leader approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, effort 2f out, soon driven and weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, slightly hampered after 2f out, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, effort on stands rail and driven over 2f outkept on under pressure final furlong, no danger
held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, driven and weaved through inside final 2f, stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards, won going away
led after 1f, headed just over 2f out, weakened rapidly and soon eased
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, led just over 2f out, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, lost 2nd near finish
slowly away, always behind
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest
led for 1f, tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Thunder Rock is bound to be popular with backers but Sir Michael Stoute's colt is likely to be plenty short enough for his debut in this grade and preference is for Maraakeb, who gets the vote over Jazz Scene. The last mentioned has to be respected on the evidence of his latest success at Haydock but a 5lb rise for that success leaves Mick Channon's gelding with more to do. The Michael Jarvis-trained Putra Kuantan has slipped to an attractive mark and has to be considered, while the three-year-old Sky Crusader probably needs to improve again on his first attempt against older rivals. Paul Cole's Harcourt has finished in the frame in his last two starts and is entitled to respect with the booking of Richard Hughes taking the eye, while Bayeux de Moi is probably best watched with the Amanda Perrett stable struggling for winners at present. The Violin Player has yet to reproduce his all-weather form this term and of more interest may be Rod Millman's Prince Nureyev, who remains on a fair mark despite the burden of top weight and has to be respected. The vote though goes to Maraakeb, who has been running with consistency this term and hails from the John Gosden yard that is really hitting form right now.
Prince Nureyev (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, raced keenly, switched to far side 8f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 18l behind Bridge Loan (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Wiggy Smith 12-1 (9-9) Held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression approaching final furlong, 11th of 19, 10l behind Spring Jim (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in May.
Maraakeb (FR) 8-1 (8-6) Towards rear, headway on outer 3f out, ridden and edged left when weakening final furlong, 9th of 17, 7l behind Courageous Duke (9-0) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Desert Cristal (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Tracked leader, ridden every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Musicanna (9-1) at Newmarket 1m fll hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Bayeux de Moi (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Prominent and chasing group, effort and close up 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Foxhaven (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Jul.
Pagan Sky (IRE) 40-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression and beaten, 12th of 20, 9l behind Evaluator (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Harcourt (USA) 5-1jt-fav (9-0) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Sporting Gesture (8-6) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in May.
The Violin Player (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Behind, headway on inner 2f out, ran on final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Opening Ceremony (8-13) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (3) gf.
Skylarker (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 13, 7l behind Bay Story (9-1) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Ryan's Future (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind All That And More (9-4) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gd.
Blue Torpedo (USA) 15-2 (9-1) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, effort on outside and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 2l behind Solent (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gd.
Akash (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 26l behind Charlie Kennet (8-13) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Montecito 11-2 (8-11) Held up, short-lived effort 3f out, no impression, 5th of 6, 11l behind Miss Particular (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Putra Kuantan 3-1jt-fav (9-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Impeller (9-12) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (3) gd.
Sky Crusader 5-1 (8-12) Held up, pushed along halfway, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, hung right and ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, nk behind Sea Hunter (9-0) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Jazz Scene (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (4) gf beating Black Falcon (9-6) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 4-6fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, driven clear, won at Yarmouth 1m 3f mdn stk (5) frm in Jun beating Estrelle (8-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
