Balakiref can follow up, with stablemate Misphire, Cornus, Bond Boy and Bel Cantor all out to stop him. Not that many can be fancied here, and on the strength of his back-to-form win at Leicester just less than three weeks ago, the Michael Dods inmate Balakiref is selected to maintain that form over Cornus on just a pound worse terms. The latter has since been beaten at Haydock, and seems hard to win with, so for that reason is taken on again. Misphire goes on the ground and will appreciate the drop back in trip, while Bond Boy has the class but has not yet captured the form that he showed for Bryan Smart. Bel Cantor will relish the recent rain that has fallen, and may make a bold bid for the frame at least, but we are happy to side with Balakiref.
Capricorn Run (USA) 22-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 17l behind Flipando (9-4) at Beverley 1m hcap (3) gd in May.
Circuit Dancer (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Dwelt, always behind stands' side, 19th of 20, 13l behind Colorus (8-5) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Campo Bueno (FR) 33-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, last of 13, 12l behind H Harrison (8-2) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Connect 50-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 15, 4l behind Dingaan (8-7) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gd.
Sea Salt 12-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Blazing Heights (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Nov.
Bond Boy 16-1 (9-0) Always rear division, 9th of 13, 9l behind Off The Record (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-90 (3) fbs in May.
Steel Blue 13-2 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 8l behind Desert Commander (9-11) at Ripon 6f hcap (3) gf.
Guest Connections 16-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 5l behind Rainbow Bay (7-9) at Catterick 6f hcap (4) gf.
Balakiref 3-1fav (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, ran on hung left inside final furlong, led post, won at Leicester 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May beating Cornus (8-13) by a hd, 12 ran.
Lake Chini (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Desert Commander (9-11) at Ripon 6f hcap (3) gf.
Tender Process (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Never better than mid-division stands' side, 11th of 20, 5l behind Colorus (8-5) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Monashee Brave (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden when weakening over 1f out, last of 13, 9l behind Wanchai Lad (8-12) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Opal Noir 9-2 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 4th of 6, 7l behind Fish Called Johnny (8-4) at Ayr 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Highland Warrior 7-1 (8-8) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, never reached challenging position, 7th of 8, 3l behind Oranmore Castle (9-1) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) frm in May.
Cornus 9-2 (9-2) Bumped start, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Roman Quintet (8-8) at Haydock 6f hcap (5) gf.
Westport 6-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 12, 2l behind Balakiref (9-1) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May.
Ellens Academy (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Raced stands' side, always behind, 17th of 18, 13l behind Brunelleschi (8-5) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
Misphire 14-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden, headway over 1f out, kept on, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Bakhoor (8-7) at Leicester 7f fll hcp (4) sft in May.
Bel Cantor 15-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Rainbow Bay (7-9) at Catterick 6f hcap (4) gf.
Sake (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 12l behind Hula Ballew (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcap (5) gf.
