chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong
behind and switched right after 1f, tracked leaders halfway, ridden well over 1f out, headway inside final furlong to lead close home
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong and no extra inside
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon one pace
reared start and always behind, never on terms
prominent and soon led, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out and weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, not much room entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead entering final furlong, kept on until headed and no extra close home
chased leaders, ridden over halfway, weakened final furlong
Lualua might just provide the answer here but Four Amigos, Sir Ernest and Divine Spirit are others that need to be given all due consideration. Looking at the field. Baron Rhodes gained reward for her consistency with a victory at Sandown last time and, now rated five pounds higher - less Tom Eaves' three-pound claim - she might have to settle for place money again at best. She is, also, two pounds worse off for the three-and-a-half lengths that she finished behind Four Amigos at Thirsk in April, although that came on soft going. Four Amigos now races off an eight-pound higher mark than for that Yorkshire win. Divine Spirit ran an eyecatching race at Thirsk last time and could go well now that he is now on a more-reasonable mark, while Lualua's second to Benbaun at Thirsk in May - with recent big-handicap winner Two Step Kid back in fourth - reads as very good form and, despite disappointing last time, he remains competitive from his current mark. Based on Haydock form of June, albeit on good to soft going, Sir Ernest is weighted get the better of Baron Rhodes and Baylaw Star, so he has to be popped into the mix as well. Champagne Cracker, who won that race, is now five pounds worse off with Sir Ernest for that win, so also has to be given claims. Of the others, Only If I Laugh could be given a squeak if back to his very best but, overall, for today, we will side with Lualua.
