tracked leader, led 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace
took keen hold, led to 6f out, stayed prominent until weakened quickly over 2f out
slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra kept on one pace
held up 5th, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken 1f out and one pace final furlong
always towards rear, never dangerous
steadied start, held up in rear, some late headway final 2f, never nearer
held up 4th, switched left over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on, caught towards finish
started slowly, in rear, never troubled leaders final 2f
took keen hold towards rear, struggling over 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress and weakened over 1f out
behind, headway from 2f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
behind, some headway 2f out, never nearer
towards rear, steady headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
This valuable handicap can go the way of Monte Alto, who is selected ahead of Sun Of The Sea and Brief Goodbye. Much as there are some interesting runners among those higher up the weights, we have opted for one of the lighter-weighted runners. Monte Alto gets the description of 'lightly raced and progressive'. He actually showed a fair turn of foot to win at Folkestone last time and, under an eight-pounds rise in the ratings, remains competitive, we feel. Sun Of The Sea was well-backed ahead of scoring at Lingfield last time and, even though the has been raised eleven pounds for that success, he has clearly been hiding his light under a bushel and can also go well. Of the others, Brief Goodbye comes into it based on his second to Greek Well two runs ago, Krugerrand is very well-weighted if managing to rediscover his 2006 best, Del Mar Sunset has disappointed twice since his Newmarket win but this in-and-out performer can't be ruled out, Red Somerset showed improved form to run well over a mile at Ascot last time and can maybe improve again, while Gerard Butler's Muhannak is open to improvement on Turf, and Kavachi is not ruled out on his best 2006 form. Once again, though, the selection is Monte Alto.
Bull Market (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Went left at start, pulled hard soon prominent pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 12l behind Nobelix (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Brief Goodbye 12-1 (9-4) Started slowly, towards rear, headway near side over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 8l behind Cabinet (8-10) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Jul.
Krugerrand (USA) 11-2 (8-9) Behind, effort 3f out, no impression after, 7th of 9, 13l behind European Dream (9-7) at York 1m 1f hcap (2) sft in Jul.
Monte Alto (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on inside over well 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on well, won at Folkestone 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jul beating Northern Jem (9-6) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Red Somerset (USA) 8-1 (8-7) Led early, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2l behind River Tiber (9-12) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Muhannak (IRE) 4-1fav (9-5) Mid-division, wide entering straight, headway final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind dhtrs Grand Vizier (9-0) & Hoh Wotanite (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Sun of The Sea 15-8fav (9-6) Held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led on bit over 1f out, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Jul beating Silca Key (9-7) by 1l, 14 ran.
Kavachi (IRE) 7-2fav (9-10) Took keen hold in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Hazelnut (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
