prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up and headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
led, headed well over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
prominent, led well over 1f out, driven out final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, driven along over 2f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, effort over 2f out, soon behind
towards rear, never a factor
took keen hold and settled towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression
In the finale, we will give the nod to Emerald Bay, with Scotland The Brave, Glencairn Star, Malinsa Blue and Iskander rated as the main dangers. Having looked promising when putting together back-to-back wins at Haydock and Nottingham, Emerald Bay then disappointed at Newcastle, although it is possible that that race came a little too soon for him after his previous win. We will give him the chance to put things right tonight, although Scotland The Brave, who this race last year from a two-pounds higher mark, has to be brought into the equation, as she has shown just enough of late to suggest she is still capable of a good run. Having won at Haydock, Glencairn Star ran well from his revised mark last time after a slightly-impeded run, so we expect a good run from him tonight. Malinsa Blue caught the eye staying on late in the day at Leicester last time and, having won at this track last season, a good run cannot be ruled out. Iskander remains consistent but can't quite get his head in front from his revised rating, while High Dyke has been hit with - and has been beaten from - a six-pound higher mark for winning at Sandown. Habshan is six pounds better off for the seven-and-a-half lengths he finished behind Iskander at Nottingham in May but, the question is, will it be enough to turn the form around? Finally, African Sahara is back to a winning mark of last summer now so is afforded respect, but Red Contact seems better on the all-weather. Overall, though, we will give the vote to Emerald Bay.
Red Contact (USA) 33-1 (9-9) Chased winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f, 8th of 10, 16l behind Langford (9-4) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
African Sahara (USA) 25-1 (8-13) Raced far side, chased leaders, ridden and kept on one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 19, 8l behind Kamanda Laugh (9-10) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Emerald Bay (IRE) Evensfav (8-7) Led, quickened 3f out, ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Helm Bank (9-13) at Newcastle 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Habshan (USA) 9-2 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on, never reach leaders, 7th of 17, 7l behind Iskander (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp (5) gf in May.
High Dyke 9-1 (9-3) Took keen hold and always behind, 13th of 14, 16l behind Goodwood Spirit (9-1) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Iskander 4-1jt-fav (9-12) Soon led and keen early, ridden over 3f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Regent's Secret (8-12) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Malinsa Blue (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Steady start, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left and ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Babe Maccool (9-5) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Glencairn Star 11-2fav (8-6) Prominent, ridden and every chance when not much room 1f out and inside final furlong, stayed on well towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind No Grouse (8-8) at Thirsk 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Scotland The Brave 12-1 (9-1) Towards rear, pushed along and headway 3f out, ridden and no impression final 2f, 5th of 8, 6l behind True Night (9-13) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Mangrove Cay (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, effort when edged left 2f out, ridden and no extra final furlong, 8th of 14, 14l behind Zando (8-5) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (E3) fbs in Nov.
