This contest should inform us if any particular bias is likely to exist draw wise for the opening day on the straight course and also where, if any, the best of the ground is. Those with what appear the strongest form coming into the race are drawn in double figures although a large number of pace setters are drawn low which also adds to the conundrum. River Falcon, drawn in stall seven is a horse who has slipped back down to a winning mark and being one that likes to be produced off a fast pace, could have the race run to suit. Added to that is that he has achieved wins with plenty of cut in the ground and everything looks primed for a big run from Jim Goldie's eight-year-old, who was noted staying on very strongly last time over six furlongs. Chief Editor is likely to prove very popular with punters being a lightly-raced sort apparently on the upgrade. He has not won on ground slower than good to soft but ran to his mark in a conditions event won by Peace Offering at Nottingham. That was a decent effort considering Dandy Nicholls' sprinter reserves his best for testing conditions. Cheveton is another rapidly improving sprinter and is now 19lb higher than his initial winning mark this season. He is a handicapper's nightmare in that it is hard to assess what he has achieved as he barely does enough - but this is by far his toughest test to date. Harrison George is drawn in stall 20 and his rider will be able to attain a toe from Strike Up The Band. He didn't appear comfortable on the lively surface at Goodwood, hanging right in the closing stages. Although he has scored over six and seven on this course, the return to five is a different story and the worry would be that he could get taken off his feet. Strike Up The Band is an admirable veteran but vulnerable off top-weight. The trail blazer Fathom Five now has a 4lb pull with Strike Up The Band for a 1 1/4 length defeat at the Shergar Cup meeting and on his favoured easier surface he can be taken to reverse the form. RIVER FALCON is the one we'll rely on.
Strike Up The Band 3-1jt-fav (9-3) Made virtually all, ridden approaching final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Ascot 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gd beating Fathom Five (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Loch Verdi 8-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, fading when edged left inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 3l behind Judd Street (8-12) at Newmarket 5f lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
Chief Editor 11-4 (8-11) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Peace Offering (9-6) at Nottingham 5f stk (3) sft.
Fathom Five (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Chased winner, every chance final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Strike Up The Band (9-3) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
New Freedom (BRZ) 16-1 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, hung right, no impression, 7th of 10, 9l behind Strike Up The Band (9-3) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Rising Shadow (IRE) 28-1 (8-10) Towards rear stands side, never dangerous, 15th of 20, 10l behind Tajneed (8-12) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Sunrise Safari (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 13th of 15, 7l behind Lesson In Humility (8-12) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Misaro (GER) 7-2fav (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Sohraab (9-9) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
River Falcon 17-2 (8-13) Behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Lesson In Humility (8-12) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Invincible Force (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, in rear, edged left over 1f out, never going pace to trouble leaders, 5th of 7, 5l behind Peace Offering (9-6) at Nottingham 5f stk (3) sft.
The Trader (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 11l behind Strike Up The Band (9-3) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Kay Two (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, soon beaten, last of 16, 8l behind Look Busy (8-13) at Ayr 5f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Cheveton 9-2fav (9-10) Prominent, ran on to lead entering final furlong, asserted final 75 yards, won at Newbury 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Brandywell Boy (7-12) by 1l, 11 ran.
Morinqua (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Chased leaders to halfway, soon struggling, last of 12, 16l behind Enticing (8-10) at Goodwood 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Harrison George (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 19, 1 1/2l behind Pearly Wey (9-10) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf.
Total Impact 9-2fav (8-8) Mid-division on standside, switched right 3f out, soon ridden, ran on strongly final furlong, led near finish, won at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul beating Even Bolder (8-3) by a nk, 20 ran.
Luscivious 8-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, weakened halfway, 8th of 11, 1l behind Kay Two (9-3) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Jul.
He's A Humbug (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Soon driven, never troubled leaders, 11th of 13, 10l behind Divine Spirit (8-12) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
My Gacho (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Lesson In Humility (8-12) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Green Park (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 1f, kept on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Divine Spirit (8-12) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
