held up in touch, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up last, pushed along 3f out, soon one pace and no danger
held up in 7th, brief effort on outside over 2f out, soon beaten
raced in 4th, hard ridden to take narrow lead 2f out, narrowly headed entering final furlong, kept on
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, held up in 5th, ridden to challenge 2f out, driven to take narrow lead entering final furlong, all out
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, ridden one pace under pressure
tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten
Great Orator is chanced against likely market leaders, Alekhine and Cusoon. Henry Candy's maiden ran eyecatchingly at Nottingham last month and with that being a seasonal reappearance, there is every reason to suggest that improvement could be likely. Hailing from an in-form yard, there could be value to be had against more exposed performers. Alekhine was just run out of it at Goodwood on his most recent racecourse start. The form of that race was let down by Fasylitator on Saturday so more could be required than the bare figures suggests. Cusoon has ability but is difficult to catch right. Customarily held up in the early stages, he will be brought to bear late in the race if securing a run. Active Asset is likely to go up plenty for a recent win at Newcastle and Mick Channon seizes the chance to try his luck under a penalty. Tony Culhane rode on that occasion but 7lb claimer Tom O'Brien takes over in an attempt to keep the weight down. Firesong has disappointed on two occasions when favourite and is best watched in the market to see whether connections are confident of a change in fortune. Great Orator still potentially looks open to improvement and we shall offer him our support on this occasion.
Active Asset (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating In Full Cry (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Mid-division, brief effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 15l behind Obrigado (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Alekhine (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, led just inside final furlong, kept on when headed close home, 2nd of 15, hd behind Night Storm (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Great Orator (USA) 14-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 4l behind Minister of State (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
Firesong 9-2fav (8-13) Keen, with leader 1f, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 15, 11l behind Commitment Lecture (8-10) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May.
Cusoon 9-2fav (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Aggravation (8-6) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Zilcash 20-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Portal (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Northside Lodge (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 18l behind Catskill (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.
