made all, shaken up over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on well
took keen hold early, chased leading pair, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up, driven and headway over 1f out, soon 3rd and no impression
soon pushed along in 4th, ridden 2f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong
niggled along early in rear, pushed along halfway, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten
chased winner throughout, ridden over 1f out, one pace and held when carried right inside final furlong
LIBRANNO can give Richard Hannon a hat-trick in this race by beating Roayh; Marine Commando and The Long Game may prove best of the rest. Our pick defied odds of 25/1 to make a winning debut at Newmarket before following up with a win in the Group Two July Stakes at the same venue, for which he carries a 3lb penalty here. Once more he was relatively unfancied but made all to score and with the Coventry and Norfolk Stakes winners' in behind that form makes him tough to beat. Our concern would be that he's evidently not shown much at home but Richard Hannon could've sent any number of other horses here so that he relies on Libranno is good enough for us. Roayh is held by our selection on a line through Coventry winner Elzaam but is probably better than he showed at Newmarket when behind another of Hannon's, especially as the watered ground may've been against him. His experience may prove too much for Marine Commando, an unbeaten Northern raider whose Windsor Castle winning form has taken knocks. That said, fourth-placed Stone Of Folca did run well here on Tuesday and he's capable of better. Similar comments apply to The Long Game, whose Ascot maiden win doesn't amount to much but who remains a horse of immense potential. He's got entries in races such as the Gimcrack and Champagne Stakes to indicate connections feel he can continue to progress and he may do so to hold The Paddyman, ready winner of a very ordinary Yarmouth maiden. More of a threat could well come from Satin Love with Mark Johnston's juveniles coming into form; he was impressive at Hamilton and the third horse has won since. All six have claims of sorts in the 2010 renewal of the Richmond Stakes but Richard Hannon's record along with the obvious form claims of his sole representative combines to make Libranno the percentage call.
Libranno 10-1 (8-12) Made most, ridden over 1f out, found extra when challenged inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf beating Neebras (8-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Marine Commando 9-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, effort when not clear run, switched left and hampered, ran on to lead near finish, won at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Jun beating Petronius Maximus (9-3) by nk, 14 ran.
Roayh (USA) Evensfav (9-1) Led, ridden and headed approaching 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Casual Glimpse (9-1) at Newmarket 6f 2yo stks (2) gf.
Satin Love (USA) 7-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden clear, readily, won at Hamilton 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs beating Intrusion (8-12) by 5l, 4 ran.
The Long Game 4-5fav (9-0) Went slightly right start, tracked leaders on outside of field, ridden to lead and edged left over 1f out, ran on, drew clear final 125 yards, won at Ascot 6f 2yo mdn (3) gf beating Shaabek (9-3) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
The Paddyman (IRE) 1-2fav (9-3) Overall leader 2f, led again and overall leader over 1f out, shaken up, soon sprinted clear, comfortably, won at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf beating Albaasil (9-3) by 8l, 9 ran.
