held up behind, ridden and headway towards stands side over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead towards finish
led, headed narrowly over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, no extra final 100 yards
mid-division, driven 2f out, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, gradually weakened inside final furlong
behind, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on well towards stands side rail inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, not reach winner
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge inside final 2f, kept on inside final furlong, held towards finish
mid-division, ridden 2f out, never on terms, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on into mid-division inside final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, not much room and lost place 2f out, weakened 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, led narrowly over 3f out, driven over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish dropped to 5th final strides
towards rear, driven over 2f out, never able to challenge
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders towards far side over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, held towards finish
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders inside final 2f, stayed on and every chance well inside final furlong, held towards finish
refused to race, took no part
mid-division, ridden 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no impression
towards rear, some headway under pressure over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
This has been a poor race for favourites in the past. Low numbers are generally best which may rule out Picture Dealer, who has a penalty for last week's easy victory at Newmarket but is still 4lb well in at the weights. Sunraider is another drawn high and Warwick winner Mount Hollow has plenty to do from stall 18. PEA SHOOTER had dropped to his lowest ever mark when just lasting home at Haydock so with just a 3lb rise to contend with and a low draw he's taken to go in again. Defence Council doesn't win often enough but with SIlvestre De Sousa in the plate and a lowly mark he's expected to get into the frame at a fair price. Mon Brav has won from higher marks in the past and beat several of these home when placed behind Noverre To Go here last month with Bonnie Charlie only just behind.
Picture Dealer 6-4fav (9-12) In rear, headway over 1f out, soon led, ridden clear, won at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Whipper Snapper (9-6) by 4l, 12 ran.
Meandmyshadow 16-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 21l behind Dark Castle (9-3) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Sunraider (IRE) 11-8 (9-5) Soon tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Hopes N Dreams (9-2) at Hamilton 6f clm stks (6) gf.
Sound Amigo (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f, 4th of 10, 7l behind Dr Red Eye (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Mon Brav 10-1 (9-9) In touch, pushed along and headway from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on strongly in closing stages, going on close home, just missed 2nd, 3rd of 18, 1/2l behind Noverre To Go (9-6) at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Tarooq (USA) 8-1 (9-11) Steadied start, held up in rear, switched right to centre over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 10, 4l behind Labienus (9-4) at Ascot 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Trade Secret 10-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, effort 2f out, soon lost place, 10th of 12, 7l behind Meandmyshadow (9-9) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Mappin Time (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Outpaced, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 5th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Sleepy Blue Ocean (9-6) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Mount Hollow 14-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, pressed briefly inside final furlong, found extra final 100 yards and ran on well, won at Warwick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Tidal's Baby (8-10) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Pea Shooter 7-2 (9-8) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, led narrowly last 75 yards, just held on close home, won at Haydock 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Head Space (9-10) by ns, 9 ran.
Diman Waters (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Dwelt, held up towards rear and in touch, tracked leaders halfway, soon outpaced, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Fitz Flyer (9-12) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Sir Pedro 5-1 (9-2) With leaders and keen, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 11l behind Al Khan (9-4) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Bonnie Charlie 10-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, held up, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Sunraider (9-10) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Bop It 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 8, 7l behind Hopes N Dreams (9-3) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Hadaj 14-1 (9-5) Tracked leader until ridden over 1f out, soon faded, 5th of 8, 5l behind Glen Moss (9-13) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Corporal Maddox 20-1 (9-11) Towards rear, short of room over 1f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, never nearer, 6th of 12, 6l behind Picture Dealer (9-12) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Defence Council (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Slowly away raced wide in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dark Castle (9-3) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Baldemar 4-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 5th of 8, 5l behind School Fees (9-6) at Epsom Downs 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Caranbola 10-3 (9-11) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 10l behind Oil Strike (9-5) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Medici Time 20-1 (9-0) Behind, headway towards far side over 1f out, driven and stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Head Space (9-7) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
