tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, hung left and headed inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon edged left and weakened
in touch, ridden over 3f out, challenged for 2nd entering final furlong, no extra
never better than mid-division
slowly into stride, steadily recovered into mid-division after 3f, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, went 3rd entering final furlong, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, travelled well and smooth headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, caught near finish
held up behind, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, hung right over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led near finish
mid-division until weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, challenging when not clear run on rails and lost place over 2f out, no danger after
led until 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden to challenge 2f out, faded inside final furlong
mid-division, switched left and effort 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, went 4th final stride
always towards rear
slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, never troubled leaders
tracked leader, ridden to challenge from 2f out, one pace final furlong
Shmookh, Shevchenko and Miss Lucifer look the three to concentrate on here and the vote goes to Shmookh. John Dunlop's colt appreciated the return to sprinting when winning over six furlongs last time out at Newmarket and wasn't stopping at the finish. He has won twice over this trip so shouldn't mind the slight step up and he should be at home bowling along in behind the leaders down this long run-in. He has gone up 8lbs in the handicap for that narrow success which does seem a tad harsh given he only won by a neck, but there is still plenty of improvement to come and he is fancied to win again. Miss Lucifer has found one too good on her last two starts (the re-opposing Regal Parade on one of those occasions) but she is improving with every run and should be cherry-ripe today. Docofthebay is extremely consistent and whilst he edges up the weights, he still looks a threat, along with Vitznau who needs to bounce back from a mediocre last run (behind the selection) but is certainly capable. The aforementioned Regal Parade can be slow away which isn't ideal for one who likes to race very prominently, however he can go well if smartly away. Kyle and Tombi are both consistent so have claims, however the main challenger looks to be Shevchenko. He proved miles better than his handicap debut mark of 79 and this beautifully bred colt looks sure to run a massive race under just a 6lb winners penalty. All in all, this looks very competitive, and we will tentatively return to Shmookh as the selection.
Shmookh (USA) 12-1 (8-7) Raced stands side, held up, headway over 2f out, led 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul beating Off The Record (8-7) by a nk, 19 ran.
Teslin (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 4, 12l behind Boscobel (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Regal Parade 25-1 (7-13) Never travelling in rear, short of room 4f out, switched right, never a danger, 17th of 27, 8l behind Third Set (8-2) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gs in Jul.
Heywood 15-2 (9-5) Hampered start, always towards rear, last of 8, 14l behind El Bosque (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (2) hvy in Jul.
Miss Lucifer (FR) 9-4 (8-10) Steadied start, held up, headway 2f out, ridden and edged left 1f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Lovelace (8-4) at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
Cesc 14-1 (9-7) Pulled hard, held up, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 9l behind Ragheed (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Vitznau (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Raced stands side, mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Shmookh (8-7) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
Docofthebay (IRE) 9-4fav (8-12) Held up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, held on, won at Ascot 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul beating Lunces Lad (8-11) by a nk, 10 ran.
Rainbow Mirage (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Raced far side, effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 11th of 19, 7l behind Shmookh (8-7) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
Voodoo Moon 10-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway, every chance 2f out until weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Fremen (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Soviet Palace (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Led until headed over 1f out, soon one pace, 5th of 11, 5l behind Samsons Son (8-10) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Kyle (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (9-6) In touch, not clear run and switched left 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 1l behind King's Apostle (9-1) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Tombi (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden along halfway, driven to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Morinqua (9-0) at York 5f 3yo hcp (3) gd in May.
Love On Sight 7-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 10l behind Docofthebay (8-12) at Ascot 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Samsons Son 5-2 (9-11) Held up in rear, switched right 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon hung left, kept on, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Bajan Pride (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Yaroslav (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, challenged over 2f out, edged left 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 9l behind Tybalt (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Furnace (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders, kept on final furlong, 4th of 17, 6l behind Tybalt (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jul.
College Scholar (GER) 7-2 (9-2) Hampered start, in touch, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 11l behind El Bosque (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (2) hvy in Jul.
Benllech 33-1 (9-7) In touch over 3f, last of 9, 14l behind Royal Rock (9-6) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Shevchenko (IRE) 7-4fav (8-13) Prominent, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon drew clear, ridden out, won at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Jul beating Perfect Star (9-2) by 2l, 7 ran.
