took keen hold behind leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged right and one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, stayed on same pace
chased leaders to halfway
never better than mid-division
in touch, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home
in touch, effort when not much room 1f out, not recovered
held up, pushed along halfway, headway and switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home
dwelt, soon chased along, never a factor
held up, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead briefly well inside final furlong, headed close home
towards rear, driven along 2f out, stayed on final furlong
always in rear division
dwelt and towards rear, pushed along halfway, some late headway, never near to challenge
prominent for 4f
led, headed 2f out, ridden when weakening final furlong
It is hard to solidly recommend a selection but maybe Desert Arc can get the better of the argument with the likes of Enjoy The Buzz and Coranglais. A return to the level of form that saw Desert Arc win from a two-pounds higher mark last time would see him competitive today and, in a race where it is hard to form a strong view, he gets the nod. Enjoy The Buzz was keeping on over five furlongs at Windsor last time and, coming here in good heart, is respected. Winthorpe has not won for two years, but ought to be fairly competitive from his current mark, while Piccolo Prince also remains reasonably weighted but would probably prefer easier going. Coranglais is from a stable that keeps getting amongst the winners, so he is entitled to respect off his mark, while Times Review showed a bit more zest in blinkers last time. Yorkshire Blue seems better at seven but comes here on the back of a fair run, while Adantino is well-weighted on his best all-weather form. Finally, Time N Time Again showed a bit more last time, for which he has been dropped three pounds, so might get amongst the money, while Celtic Thunder and Snow Wolf are capable of running well from their current marks, but they have so far only won a maiden a piece between them so far. With the bottom two out of the weights, we return to the selection, which is Desert Arc.
Celtic Thunder 10-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden and came wide entering straight, headway 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Rezzago (9-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Snow Wolf 25-1 (8-5) In touch stands' side, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 10th of 15, 9l behind Dunn Deal (7-12) at Newcastle 6f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Winthorpe (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, shd behind Compton Plume (9-6) at Catterick 6f hcp (5) gf.
Piccolo Prince 6-1 (9-5) Behind, hampered start, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 4l behind Dizzy In The Head (9-3) at Hamilton 5f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Coranglais 10-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden and running on from over 2f out, edged left 1f out, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Intriguing Glimpse (9-2) at Brighton 5f hcp (4) gd.
Times Review (USA) 11-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Mr Wolf (9-6) at Pontefract 6f stk 0-65 (5) gf in Jul.
Yorkshire Blue 9-1 (8-3) Behind, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never trouble leaders, 6th of 15, 3l behind Dunn Deal (8-9) at Thirsk 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Desert Arc (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final 2f, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Zanjeer (9-4) at Carlisle 7f stk 0-60 (6) gf.
Adantino 11-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on strongly on outside, just denied, 2nd of 12, nk behind Inch By Inch (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Prince of Gold 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Mr Wolf (9-6) at Pontefract 6f stk 0-65 (5) gf in Jul.
Enjoy The Buzz 7-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Sweetest Revenge (9-3) at Windsor 5f hcp (5) gs.
Time N Time Again 33-1 (8-9) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Compton Plume (9-6) at Catterick 6f hcp (5) gf.
Smirfys Night 66-1 (7-12) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 15, 6l behind Dunn Deal (8-9) at Thirsk 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Spy Gun (USA) 12-1 (8-11) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Spark Up (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jul.
