tracked winner to 8f out, stayed handy, driven 2f out, stayed on same pace
held up until pulled way up to join winner 8f out, still upsides 3f, driven 2f out, no impression when lost 2nd 1f out, weakened
held up last, headway 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden when hung left from over 3f out, soon behind
in touch, ridden when carried left over 3f out, soon driven and beaten
in touch, hard driven over 2f out, soon beaten, eased final furlong
ridden in rear 4f out, always behind
took keen hold, held up, headway on rails from 3f out, went 2nd 1f out, no chance with easy winner
led and set steady pace, quickened tempo 3f out, in command final 2f, stayed on well, easily
The short list contains Millville, Foxhaven and Blue Bajan, with the vote given to Millville. Millville left such a good impression when scoring at York last time that we are very reluctant to go against him until his runs suggest otherwise. Foxhaven put in an improved performance when upped to today's trip at Goodwood last time. Much as that win came on soft going and he has a six-pounds rise to defy, he cannot be ruled of a good run. Thyolo looked a bit more like his old self at York last time and could go well if building on that and, much as Blue Bajan and Top Seed need career-best efforts to score, the former could well be on the up and is respected. Ameeq has form enough to be given some thought, but the others cannot have obviously strong cases built for them. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Millville.
Millville 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to lead post, won at York 1m 4f hcap (3) gs in May beating Lets Roll (8-13) by a hd, 16 ran.
Top Seed (IRE) 18-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on, not reach leaders, 7th of 14, 3l behind Alfie Noakes (8-8) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 5-4fav (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and joined post, won at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun deadheating with Finalmente (9-11), 5 ran.
Thyolo (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Soulacroix (10-6) at York 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Ameeq (USA) 8-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, effort and every chance over 1f out, not quicken and kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Alfie Noakes (8-8) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Pevensey (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 12th of 17, 11l behind Trouble Mountain (8-4) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Luberon 5-2 (8-11) Set steady pace, headed inside final 4f, remained in touch to over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 4, 25l behind Hazeymm (8-11) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo stk (4) gd in Apr.
Foxhaven 20-1 (9-3) In touch and chasing group, closed over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and stayed on strongly, won at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft beating Art Eyes (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.