chased leaders, lost place over 2f out
led, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, soon faded
mid-division, pushed along before halfway, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home
behind, good headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on final furlong
reared start, held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
held up, edged left, headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed and no extra close home
behind, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden halfway, hung left under pressure approaching final furlong, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, soon faded
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders until lost place over 2f out
mid-division, ridden halfway, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead closing stages, all out
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace
Amazingly sprint king David Nicholls has just the one runner here and, after a slightly disappointing effort at Ripon on Saturday, Continent is probably best left alone with the vote going to Knot In Wood ahead of Mutamared. The last mentioned disappointed in the Wokingham but, that run apart, he has been a model of consistency this term and can again be expected to run his usual good race. River Falcon has not been seen since April but will have ground conditions to suit for his return, while Munaddam ran better than his finishing position would suggest at Goodwood last time and he cannot be ruled out. Steel Blue would have claims on the pick of his form but is not the most reliable of customers, while Desert Commander is hard to recommend on recent evidence. Pic Up Sticks has been in fine form of late but this looks tougher and preference is for Knot In Wood, who has been knocking on the door of late and, with conditions to suit, he may be able to gain a deserved success.
Desert Commander (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Chased leaders stand's side, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 16th of 19, 11l behind Excusez Moi (9-4) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) sft.
Coleorton Dancer 18-1 (8-10) Dwelt and soon prominent stand's side, ridden when weakening when 1f out, last of 19, 18l behind Excusez Moi (9-4) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) sft.
Munaddam (USA) 33-1 (8-13) Dwelt, behind on far side, not clear run over 1f out, staying on when short of room final 20 yards, nearest finish, 9th of 27, 2l behind Borderlescott (9-5) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf.
Pacific Pride 14-1 (9-8) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 15, 19l behind Imperial Echo (8-12) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jul.
River Falcon 14-1 (9-1) Held up behind leaders, led 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Welsh Emperor (9-13) at Thirsk 6f stk (3) gd in Apr.
Pic Up Sticks 4-1fav (9-2) In touch, effort approaching final furlong, ran on to lead post, won at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul beating Woodnook (8-4) by a hd, 9 ran.
Rising Shadow (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Dwelt and towards rear far side, soon chased along, never reached challenging position, 10th of 19, 6l behind Excusez Moi (9-4) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) sft.
Connect 25-1 (8-11) Soon outpaced, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 9, 5l behind Peace Offering (8-4) at Nottingham 5f stk (4) gd.
Continent 14-1 (8-8) Prominent far side, ridden 2f out, staying on until hampered inside final furlong, no extra close home, 11th of 19, 7l behind Excusez Moi (9-4) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) sft.
Tony The Tap 5-1 (8-13) Soon pushed along towards rear, ridden 2f out, effort inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 5th of 9, 1l behind Pic Up Sticks (9-2) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Foreign Edition (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, under pressure over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 7l behind dhtrs Resplendent Glory (8-7) & Goodricke (9-0) at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs in May '05.
Grazeon Gold Blend 16-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Mr Wolf (9-9) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Malcheek (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 14, 11l behind Hartshead (9-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Bond Boy 12-1 (9-5) Behind on stand's side, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 5th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Holbeck Ghyll (8-7) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Knot In Wood (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Led far side group, headed over 2f out, remained in touch, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Rising Shadow (9-6) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Special Lad 6-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on same pace, 5th of 12, 3l behind Fromsong (8-10) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-95 (4) pol in Oct.
Steel Blue 9-2jt-fav (9-0) Led for a furlong, chased leaders, ridden to lead again over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 15, shd behind Pawan (8-5) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Mutamared (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Chased leaders on far side, switched right over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 27, nk behind Borderlescott (9-5) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf.
Folga 9-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 14l behind Indian Maiden (9-4) at Pontefract 6f lst fll stk (1) gd.
The Bear 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, keen early, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 14l behind Ingleby Arch (8-9) at Hamilton 6f 3yo stk (3) gf in May.
