tracked leaders on inside, switched right and went 2nd before the last, led last, kept on well run-in
chased leader until before the last, stayed on same pace in 3rd, dropped to 4th close home
off the pace towards rear, ridden and plugging on when left modest 4th and slightly hampered by faller at the last, weakened run-in
held up well in rear, plugging on when left 5th and hampered by faller at the last, stayed on well run-in, went 3rd close home, just missed 2nd
soon mid-division out wide, headway chasing leaders 3 out, plugging on in 4th when fell last
led, hit 7th, hung right home turn, headed last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in
chased leaders, weakened before the last
never closer than mid-division, dropped to last pair and struggling 3 out
An open contest in which SAO is only a hopeful choice. He's far from the most reliable and hasn't scored for over two and a half years but is really well handicapped on the best of his form and could go close if able to repeat the level of a much better run last time when a Perth runner-up. He's worth a chance. Sea Prince has the opposite sort of profile in that he's sound and reliable and always seems to run his race. He returned to action from a break with a typically solid effort at Southwell in May and has conditions to suit. He's the leading threat. Cracking Destiny is not ruled out off joint topweight with the latter and there's a quartet of course and distance winners also on show, of which Romanor and Admiral's Sunset appeal most in a tricky affair.
Cracking Destiny (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 12th, 4th and held when not fluent 2 out, one pace, 4th of 7, 14 3/4l behind The Big Lense (12-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Sea Prince 9-2 (11-13) Led until before 3 out, no impression on winner and jumped right 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Sir Tivo (12-2) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Sao (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Took keen hold, led, clear 4th until 6th, driven and hung right flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Captain Ivan (11-10) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Romanor 11-2 (11-13) Held up in last, took keen hold, not fluent 7th or 11th, outpaced 4 out, closed 2 out, no extra before last, went 2nd flat, 2nd of 4, 17l behind Begin The Luck (11-2) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Whodini (IRE) 16-5 (10-6) Chased leaders, closed going strongly before 7th, blundered next, weakened after last, last of 6, 25 1/2l behind Return Ticket (12-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Blaze A Trail (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leader until before 6th, weakened from 2 out, last of 6, 20l behind Blueberry Wine (11-10) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Admiral's Sunset 15-8fav (10-5) In rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 4th, effort when not clear run before omitted last, switched right run-in, stayed on, went 2nd close home, just held, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Elios D'Or (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Atlantic Storm (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up off the pace in last pair, headway chasing leaders and wide home turn, went 2nd 2 out until ridden between last two, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 13 1/4l behind Stumps Or Slips (10-9) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.