slowly into stride, held up and behind, not clear run briefly well over 1f out, headway 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
made all ridden over 1f out, ran on well
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in touch, lost place 4f out, headway on inside over 1f out, no impression when eased inside final furlong
steadied start, ridden when came wide entering straight, headway 1f out, never nearer
always prominent, chased winner over 2f out, kept on
prominent, ridden well over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
behind, ridden 3f out, not clear run briefly well over 2f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, soon edged left and no impression
slowly into stride, soon recovered to chase winner, weakened quickly over 2f out
behind, never troubled leaders
Count Cougar is in great heart at the moment and can land the hat-trick at the expense of Law Maker and Brave Chief. The selection does have a massive weight to carry after receiving a six pound penalty for his latest victory her last month. However he did beat Smirfy's Night with plenty of authority and there could be plenty more to come. Law Maker has been a revelation this seasonal and again ran a solid race last time when chasing home Bluebok at Haydock recently. It will be very difficult to keep this one out of the money. Brave Chief disappointed a little at Carlisle last time but looks better on the all-weather and should play a part in the finish. This race is not as competitive as most handicaps here and Count Cougar should make it three in a row.
Count Cougar (USA) 11-4fav (10-0) Led after 1f, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jun beating Smirfys Night (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Law Maker 13-2 (8-8) Led, ridden, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Bluebok (9-8) at Haydock 5f hcp (5) gf.
Piccleyes 8-1 (9-8) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Count Cougar (10-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Ligne d'Eau 7-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 7l behind Fly More (9-7) at Chepstow 6f hcp (6) gs in Jun.
Val de Maal (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Keen, in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Count Cougar (10-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Clearing Sky (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched right 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Count Cougar (9-8) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Chickado (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 13, 6l behind Count Cougar (9-8) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Brave Chief 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 1f out, 15th of 17, 9l behind Ballybunion (9-0) at Carlisle 5f stk (7) gf in May.