led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, led again 1f out, soon headed, no extra
chased leaders until weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway and not clear run briefly over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, edged right and led just inside final furlong, ran on, ridden out
never better than mid-division
always towards rear
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden, hung left and headed over 1f out, no extra
slowly away, behind, headway and not much room on rails over 2f out, no chance after
led for 1f, prominent, weakening when hampered over 2f out, eased
The vote here goes to Serre Chevalier ahead of Sabbeeh, King Marju and Psychiatrist. Serre Chevalier won in such good style at Chester last week that a nine-pounds ratings hike, whilst a tad excessive, might not be enough to stop him running a good race again. Sabbeeh looked to be coming to hand last time, in keeping with many of his stable's runners, and he gets a good mention, but Party Boss hasn't really built on his Listed all-weather win in April. The draw hasn't favoured Compton's Eleven, but King Marju ran a sound race at Newbury last time, being just touched off by Appalachian Trail and, given that he has found his level now, he can go well. Josephus and The Crooked Ring look held on that form, but Psychiatrist is closely weighted with him based on it. Marshman has been unable to build on his Newcastle win since his mark was revised, while Blue Trojan seems to have suffered a similar handicapping fate. Binanti has actually dropped to a favourable mark on the best of fairly recent efforts, so he can be considered. It all adds up to quite a tight affair, in which we will side with Serre Chevalier.
Sabbeeh (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Raced stand side and led that group, headed over 1f out, hung left and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 3/4l behind My Paris (8-9) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gd.
Party Boss 25-1 (8-10) Chased leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 16th of 17, 17l behind Ace of Hearts (8-9) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Compton's Eleven 9-1 (9-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Serre Chevalier (8-10) at Chester 7f hcp (3) gf.
King Marju (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied under strong pressure near finish, held, 2nd of 15, hd behind Appalachian Trail (9-6) at Newbury 7f hcp (2) gf.
Serre Chevalier (IRE) 4-1fav (8-10) Mid-division, ridden when switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Chester 7f hcp (3) gf beating H Harrison (7-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Marshman (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Raced stand side, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace, 9th of 17, 2 1/2l behind My Paris (8-9) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gd.
Blue Trojan (IRE) 5-1co-fav (9-5) Held up, headway 2f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Kabeer (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp (D2) pol in Mar.
Josephus (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Chased leaders over 4f, 14th of 15, 8l behind Appalachian Trail (9-6) at Newbury 7f hcp (2) gf.
Psychiatrist 25-1 (9-4) Close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 2l behind Appalachian Trail (9-6) at Newbury 7f hcp (2) gf.
Kenmore 8-1 (8-12) Pulled hard, steadied towards rear, not clear run on rails from over 2f out until over 1f out, ran on final furlong, no chance, 4th of 15, 3l behind Tagula Sunrise (8-2) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Jul.
Binanti 10-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon one pace, 7th of 14, 5l behind Ali Bruce (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp (4) gs.
The Crooked Ring 25-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, no chance with leaders, 6th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Appalachian Trail (9-6) at Newbury 7f hcp (2) gf.
Mr Lambros 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders over 4f, 13th of 16, 7l behind Mine Behind (9-6) at Newmarket 6f hcp (4) gd.
