mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, stayed on one pace final 2f
held up in mid-division, steady headway on outside over 3f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never going pace to challenge
held up in mid-division, no chance when hampered over 2f out
always behind
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4f out, led 3f out, hard driven and stayed on under pressure final furlong (hand-timed)
mid-division, pushed along and one pace final 3f
chased leaders in 3rd, weakened quickly over 4f out
held up towards rear, no chance final 3f
held up in rear, staying on one pace when not much room on rail over 2f out
in touch until weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway 8f out, chased leaders 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader, ridden and lost 2nd 4f out, weakened 2f out
held up in mid-division, steady headway from 6f out, chased winner 2f out, hung right over 1f out, no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong
in touch in chasing group, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up in rear, steady headway over 3f out, not much room and switched left over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on
led, headed 3f out, weakened qucikly
held up in rear, headway over 6f out, hard ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
always well in rear
always behind, struggling final 4f
led chasing group until weakened quickly 4f out
A very tricky opener and we will take a chance with the progressive Key Time, Mersey Sound, Dorthy's Friend and Salute are three others also expected to go well. Sir Mark Prescott has picked up three small races with the selection but this is the acid test. He stayed on strongly over 17 furlongs at Carlisle last time and so shouldn't have too much problem with the extra half mile today. He could still be one step ahead of the handicapper and he looks the best option. Dorothy's Friend was strongly fancied for the Northumberland Plate and did well to finish just three lengths behind the winner Toldo. He didn't handle the all-weather last time but should go close back on turf. Mersey Sound is a typical David Elsowrth improver and looks set to for a good run in his hat-trick bid. Meanwhile the versatile Salute is one that will be staying on in the closing stages. Fortune Island is another with a squeak on his best form, but there could be more to come from Key Time and this one gets the verdict.
Dorothy's Friend 9-2jt-fav (8-10) Led for 1f, mostly tracked leader after, ridden and lost 2nd over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 14, 11l behind Finalmente (8-13) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Jul.
McEldowney 8-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, kept on but no impression final 2f, 5th of 9, 6l behind Lightning Strike (8-9) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jul.
Distant Prospect (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, making headway on rails and staying on when hampered 2f out, soon eased when no chance, 12th of 29, 21l behind Baddam (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Jun.
Fortune Island (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no headway, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 15l behind Prins Willem (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Jul.
Key Time (IRE) 1-3fav (9-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along 5f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) frm in Jul beating Lodgician (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Ski Jump (USA) 16-1 (8-2) In touch, effort to chase leading pair halfway, ridden and weakened over 5f out, 10th of 14, 27l behind Finalmente (8-13) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Jul.
Darasim (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Prominent, lost touch 3f out, tailed of final 2f, 10th of 12, 42l behind Prins Willem (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Jul.
Salute (IRE) 11-2 (8-2) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Prins Willem (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Jul.
Mersey Sound (IRE) 5-2fav (8-5) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leader over 2f out, led 2f out, ridden and ran on strongly, won at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul beating Maystock (8-8) by 5l, 7 ran.
Ten Carat 18-1 (10-0) Driven to lead and soon clear, ridden over 4f out, headed 3f out, no impression final 2f, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Key Time (8-13) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Sir Monty (USA) 5-2fav (8-13) Prominent, ridden 3f out, soon weakened and eased, last of 13, 29l behind Master Cobbler (8-6) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Our Monogram 6-1 (8-9) Led and soon clear, reminders 7f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Mersey Sound (7-11) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Master Cobbler (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, switched left 5f out, ridden and headway from 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on gamely, won at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun beating Takafu (8-6) by 2l, 13 ran.
Almah (SAF) 7-1 (9-12) Reminders soon after start, ran in snatches, chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, not clear run inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Merrymaker (9-9) at Chester 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Theatre (USA) 8-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 6f out, outpaced over 4f out, stayed on inside final furlong, took 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Liberate (8-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Oddsmaker (IRE) 5-1 (8-5) Reared start, held up and pulled hard, headway to lead 8f out, ridden over 2f out, ran on, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul beating Thewhirlingdervish (8-1) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Kristensen 6-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Whispering Death (8-12) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Ocean of Storms (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Held up last, ridden over 5f out, stayed on well final 2f, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Rehearsed (8-4) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Eastborough (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Held up, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Sendinpost (8-3) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Paradise Flight (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Mid-division, pushed along over 6f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Rose Bien (9-2) at Beverley 2m hcp 0-70 (5) frm in Jul.
