slowly into stride, behind, effort on far rail when hung left and not much room 2f out, soon beaten
raced wide, in touch, headway to chase winner inside final 3f until weakened over 1f out
behind, headway when ridden and hung left from 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
took keen hold in mid-division, headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, not reached winner
led, steadied halfway, headed 3f out, weakened quickly
tracked leaders, led 3f out, hard ridden final 2f, kept on gamely final furlong
mid-division, keeping on at one pace, no chance when squeezed out over 1f out
tracked leaders to 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leader until inside final 3f, weakened inside final 2f
Given his connections, Velvet Valley is bound to be popular with backers but Sir Michael Stoute's colt gave little sign for optimism on his handicap debut at Sandown and is not certain to go on the ground so preference is for William's Way, who gets the vote ahead of Villa Sonata. The last mentioned is less exposed than most of these but James Fanshawe's filly would not appear to be particularly well treated and is not certain to go on the ground so may be best watched. Hatch A Plan has more to do under his penalty for last week's success, while Newbury winner High Treason would probably want a faster surface. The ground should pose no problems for William's Way though and he is taken to follow up his recent course and distance success.
Ma'am (USA) 5-1 (9-5) Always last, pushed along over 4f out, never a factor, last of 8, 12l behind Pine Cone (9-7) at Newbury 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Press Express (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Group Captain (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.
Hatch A Plan (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) In touch, headway over 2f out and soon challenging, led over 1f out, edged left final furlong, held on, won at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Bob's Your Uncle (8-11) by a hd, 8 ran.
William's Way 8-1 (9-11) Held up, shortlived effort 3f out, 6th of 7, 20l behind Buster Hyvonen (10-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
High Treason (USA) 10-3fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Looks The Business (8-11) by 2l, 11 ran.
Earl Kraul (IRE) 12-1 (8-0) Led to 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 5l behind Seven Samurai (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Villa Sonata 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, effort when short of room and hampered just inside final furlong, not recover, 5th of 9, 2l behind Gambling Spirit (9-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcap (5) gf.
Velvet Valley (USA) 16-1 (8-3) Soon tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, eased when beaten final furlong, last of 7, 15l behind Count Trevisio (9-7) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
