in rear, effort and headway over 2f out, pushed along and chased leader well over 1f out, ridden and led 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, pushed along over 1f out, no progress
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, went 3rd 1f out, ran on, not pace to challenge
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced alone stands rail, prominent, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
led, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, stayed on but always held
handy, ridden over 2f out, gradually faded
mid-division, ridden and chased front rank over 1f out, no extra inside last
Five of these are previous course and distance winners but Expert Opinion only beat one home in this race 12 months ago, though is 5lb lower now. GRANDFATHER TOM will likely blaze a trail from stall one. He’s won off higher marks than this and looks the pick of Bob Cowell’s two runners. Stone Circle is respected under Benoit De La Sayette as he was poorly drawn when chasing a hat-trick at York last time while Electric Love could figure if on a going day. Haveoneyerself looks best of the rest.
Stone Circle (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) In rear, pushed along when outpaced over 3f out, never on terms, 17th of 20, 8 1/2l behind Birkenhead (10-13) at York 5f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Expert Opinion 28-1 (8-6) Close up, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Celsius (9-4) at Newmarket 5f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Electric Love 5-4fav (9-13) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 6, 8l behind May Blossom (9-11) at Yarmouth 5f hcp fll (5) gf in Jul.
Haveoneyerself (IRE) 5-2jfav (9-13) Awkwardly away, raced wide close up in rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind Vandad (9-10) at Brighton 5f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Mehmo (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Overall leader near side, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4l behind Rabat (9-8) at Yarmouth 6f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Grandfather Tom 10-1 (9-4) Led and raced one off the rail, ridden and hung left over 1f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Spring Bloom (10-1) at Windsor 5f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Navy Drums (USA) 11-4cfav (9-9) Went right start, chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out and eased, 5th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Pepsi Cat (9-3) at Ripon 6f mdn hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Manettino (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 6, 1 1/2l behind Cotai West (9-4) at Newmarket 5f hcp (5) gf in Jul.