always rear division
started slowly, towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
towards rear, driven 2f out, some late headway but never reached challenging position
held up, headway over 1f out, had every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, driven and every chance entering final furlong, kept on
never better than mid-division
held up towards rear, headway on outer 2f out, driven and ran on to lead inside final furlong, battled on gamely
held up behind leaders, ridden along 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
very slowly into stride, always behind
towards rear, headway when not much room over 1f out, one pace final furlong
led, ridden along over 2f out, driven and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
in touch, ridden along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
A draw to either side of the middle is traditionally beneficial over the straight mile here and Vicious Warrior is given the nod in an open affair. Richard Whitaker's gelding would probably prefer some cut and it is with the forecast for rain in mind that he is selected. Even so, has won here on fast along time ago and may be able to handle that if the rains do not arrive. This is his trip, he gets a stand side draw, and he is below his highest winning mark so there isplenty to like about his chance. Troubadour is interesting having had just one run since coming over from Hong Kong. This trip suits, though the handicapper may have been a little harsh. Fortunate Isle would prefer further ideally but is in good heart and can't be discounted, Webbow is bang in form and has chances if the word 'good' remains in the description, though he has a middle draw, while Ocean Gold is now 5lb higher than his latest Sandown win which will make things tough. Robustian is interesting from a yard in form, with a low draw and blinkers applied for the first time, but Vicious Warrior has somewhat better credentials and gets the vote.
Musadif (USA) 80-1 (9-4) Slowly away, behind most of way, 13th of 16, 14l behind Ripples Maid (8-10) at Newbury 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Troubadour (IRE) 17-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 7l behind Final Verse (8-9) at Newmarket 1m stk (2) gf.
Fortunate Isle (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Prominent 3f, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 17, 27l behind Charlie Tokyo (8-9) at York 1m 1f hcap (2) hvy in Jul.
Hartshead 4-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Ragheed (8-8) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-90 (3) frm.
Mesbaah (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Taken down early, chased leaders over 6f, 7th of 17, 8l behind The Illies (7-7) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Vicious Warrior 20-1 (9-10) Led to 3f out, weakened quickly, 16th of 20, 16l behind Fremen (9-8) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Granston (IRE) 4-1fav (9-11) Chased leaders, switched right over 1f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Webbow (9-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Slate (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Prominent, lost touch from over 2f out, soon weakened, 26th of 30, 27l behind Eddie Jock (9-7) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Blue Spinnaker (IRE) 11-2 (9-13) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Nevada Desert (9-7) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Ekhtiaar 9-2fav (8-8) Held up mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 19, 9l behind Hearthstead Maison (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Kamanda Laugh 14-1 (10-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 14l behind Ahlawy (8-9) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Webbow (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out on outer, ridden over 1f out, kept on well to lead towards finish, won at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Nevada Desert (9-4) by a nk, 14 ran.
Robustian 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, some headway over 2f out, never nearer, 8th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Evident Pride (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Macedon 10-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 4th of 21, 1l behind Middlemarch (9-5) at Ascot 7f ldy rds hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Zaahid (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) In touch, every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 17, 6l behind Tybalt (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Quai Du Roi (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) refused in race won by Exit Smiling (8-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Hoh Wotanite 7-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Inside Story (9-4) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Oceana Gold 5-1 (9-0) Made virtually all, driven along from 2f out, kept on well when strongly pressed inside final furlong, driven and kept on well, won at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd beating Ballroom Dancer (9-9) by a nk, 14 ran.
Musical Beat 20-1 (9-6) Mid-division, remained far side, headway and every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 8, 13l behind Gull Wing (9-7) at York 1m 2f fll hcp (3) hvy in Jul.
Summer Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, not run on, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Hunting Tower (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
