Verdict
A bunch of mainly exposed runners here and one of them, MY GACHO, might be good enough to return to form. Mark Johnston's runners are going well and this eight-year-old has dropped to a mark 8lbs below his most recent win, which was here over 7f last year. He went close from this mark on the Polytrack last month, has a decent draw, and can see out the extra few yards to win it. Mark Twain has the three-year-old allowance and some solid form to boot, though the impression he gives is that at least a mile is required to bring out the best in him, while course winner Glenridding is on a decent mark and is respected. The draw has not been kind to Suffolk Punch and My Gacho is selected.
Formwatch
Opus Maximus (IRE) 17-2 (8-9) Dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden and beaten over 2f out, 11th of 12, 12l behind Smarty Socks (8-6) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Sir George (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway halfway, led over 1f out, soon hard ridden, stayed on strongly, won at Ripon 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Aug beating City Of The Kings (10-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Internationaldebut (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Parvaaz (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Night Lily (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Chasing leding pair until awkward and slightly lost place on bend over 5f out, pushed along 3f out, headway and driven over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Miss Antonia (9-0) at Windsor 1m flls hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Turn Me On (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 11l behind Signor Verdi (8-13) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
My Gacho (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 16l behind Parvaaz (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Game Lad 8-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Zomerlust (9-9) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Regeneration (IRE) 11-4 (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Avertis (9-7) at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Captain Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Tracked winner, ridden 3f out, bumped 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 11, 9l behind Ezdeyaad (9-7) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Lucky Dan (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon under pressure, never on terms, 8th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Great Charm (9-4) at Chester 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Suffolk Punch (IRE) 2-1 (9-5) Pressed winner, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Rare Tern (8-6) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Glenridding 7-1 (10-0) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, tailed off over 2f out, last of 11, 23l behind Commando Scott (8-10) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Deadly Encounter (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Slowly away, soon behind, last of 11, 21l behind Jeannie Galloway (8-9) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Rock 'n' Royal 20-1 (8-5) Towards rear, headway and hung left 2f out, went modest 4th over 1f out, 4th of 9, 8l behind Navajo Chief (9-3) at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gs in May.
Arabian Pearl (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Led, hung right from over 1f out, soon headed, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 6l behind R Woody (9-7) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
One Scoop Or Two 7-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Bath 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug beating Advertise (9-6) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mark Twain (IRE) 13-8fav (9-0) Held up in touch, effort on outer over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Sailorman (9-7) at Epsom Downs 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.