in touch, ridden over 1f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, ran on
keen early tracked leaders, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace
raced wide close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt always in rear
in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed final strides
raced wide alone close up, edged right to stand side group over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, driven to lead final strides
Meritocracy is back on a winning mark and wasn't beaten far at Goodwood last time but he did finish behind NOVA CHAMP at Newmarket last month. The latter has had excuses in both starts since and can come good again receiving weight all round. Lincoln is proving hard to place but lightly-raced course and distance winner Polybius is definitely on an upward curve and can't be ignored. Iseemist is very consistent and Exceeder may not have appreciated the soft going at Chester last month but still finished ahead of Fiftyshadesofgrey.
Meritocracy (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Souville (9-1) at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Lincoln (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Good speed from wide draw to chase winner 5f out, ridden 2f out, well held over 1f out, lost 2nd entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 6l behind Almargo (8-9) at Epsom Downs 7f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Polybius 5-4fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out on outer, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Windsor 6f mdn stks (5) gd beating Bold Spirit (9-4) by 3l, 10 ran.
Strategic Force (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Led early, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Souville (9-1) at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Fiftyshadesofgrey (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Off the pace towards rear, ridden on inside over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 10l behind The Hooded Claw (9-0) at Chester 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) sft in May.
Miss Lillie 11-4fav (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 14l behind Bridie Ffrench (8-8) at Leicester 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in May.
Exceeder 25-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden on inside and outpaced over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went modest 4th towards finish, 4th of 12, 9l behind The Hooded Claw (9-0) at Chester 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) sft in May.
Iseemist (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to press winner over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 9, 3l behind Stepping Out (8-12) at Goodwood 6f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gd.
Nova Champ (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, edged left 3f out, hung left and weakened 2f out, 10th of 13, 9l behind Almargo (8-9) at Epsom Downs 7f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd.