tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out
mid-division, ridden and lost place over 7f out, soon behind, completely tailed off final 4f
mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway from over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed briefly inside final furlong, ran on
raced wide in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, hung left and weakened inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on and hung left inside final furlong
in rear, smooth headway from over 2f out, hung left and ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, not run on
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Some fun to be had here for the jumping boys in their own version of the Derby and victory over this famed course can go to Sam Thomas on board EPSOM SALTS, while Yossi and Merrymadcap should be heavily involved. The latter came close to selection after what was a commanding effort when scoring over this trip on firm ground at Bath last time. However, the thing putting us off is that in 45 attempts on turf he has never yet won from a mark as high as this and so he will probably find one too good. That one can be Epsom Salts. The four-year-old loves this quirky track, having enjoyed two of his five career victories over this course and distance. His only defeat here came last time, when he ran with plenty of credit behind Hibiki and this faster ground will be more to his liking, so we will take him to come good again. Top weight Yossi is 2lbs higher than when short-headed here by Norman The Great in July and is capable enough, though one run on the flat and also a hurdles outing since have seen him a little out of sorts. Alsadaa is a stone higher than when scoring at Ascot a year ago, but has gone close enough from just 2lbs lower than today on the Polytrack and was last seen winning a Listed hurdle at Sandown in April, so he'd have the ability to make his presence felt. Conditions and trip suit Yonder, but Hughie Morrison's charge has a bit to prove here after a couple of moderate efforts, while Seventh Cavalry has already had far too many chances to interest us from a betting perspective. Inspirina likes it here and if she puts her best hoof forward is capable enough to get competitive, but preference is for Epsom Salts.
Yossi (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) Soon led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong, last of 8, 41l behind Run For Ede's (8-11) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Alsadaa (USA) 20-1 (8-6) Soon prominent, joined leader over 8f out, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Emerald Wilderness (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Kidlat 16-1 (9-11) Keen, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, switched left entering final furlong, driven and kept on, 5th of 8, 4l behind Prince Of Johanne (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Sri Kuantan (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Awkward start, slowly away, headway to chase clear leaders after 2f, ridden and weakened over 4f out, last of 8, 45l behind Epsom Salts (9-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f ldy hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Epsom Salts 3-1fav (10-8) Slow into stride, soon mid-division, chased leader 7f out until 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Hibiki (11-4) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f am hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Merrymadcap (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Made all, clear over 1f out, ridden out final furlong, unchallenged, won at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) fm in Aug beating Dreamwalk (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Inspirina (IRE) 7-2fav (9-6) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra, 4th of 9, 5l behind Destinys Dream (8-12) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Yonder 8-1 (9-4) Stumbled start, soon in touch, headway over 5f out, soon driven to challenge, weakened 2f out, 7th of 10, 12l behind Doggerbank (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 4f flls hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Free Tussy (ARG) 10-1 (9-4) Held up, outpaced 4f out, switched left and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong to go 2nd near finish, no impression, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Ogre (9-9) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f app hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Seventh Cavalry (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pasce final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Prince Of Johanne (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Sufad 25-1 (8-11) Chased leader, driven and weakened rapidly 4f out, tailed off and eased final 2f, last of 8, well behind Alnwick (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Aug.
Tayman (IRE) 5-1fav (11-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, one paced, 4th of 15, 5l behind Mad Professor (10-5) at Chepstow 1m 4f am hcp (6) gf in Jul '08.
Dark Energy 11-2 (9-5) Held up, headway 5f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 19l behind Tiger Tee (8-5) at Wolverhampton 2m app hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Aug.
