took keen hold, led 2f, chased leader, ridden to leader gain 1f out, held on
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlohg
chased leaders 5f
always towards rear,
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on nearest finish
with leader, led 6f out, clear over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders 5f
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, not quicken inside final furlong
held up and pulled hard, riddend and soon headway over 1f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, switch left and stumbled start, soon mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace when edged left inside final furlong
Dragon Slayer can defy topweight at the expense of Dante's Diamond, with Merrymadcap and Comeintothespace likely to make their presence felt in the finale. Dragon Slayer has been placed to win twice already this season, at Southwell and Epsom, and on the latter occasion it proved to be an inspired move by his new trainer Michael Attwater to step him up to an extended mile. Prominent throughout, the son of Night Shift had no trouble staying the trip, and off just a four-pound higher mark here, he can make a bold bid to dominate proceedings. Dante's Diamond has finished runner-up no less than five times during his career and in fact is still a maiden, but Alan Swinbank's charge gave another good account at Thirsk on Monday and should again be on the premises. Merrymadcap will find it hard to reverse Epsom form with the selection on these terms, while Comeintothespace, although second to the useful Rathor at Nottingham, was well beaten and needs to find more. All in all, this race looks tailor-made for Dragon Slayer to score again.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, led inside final 2f, ridden and held on well final furlong, won at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (5) gd beating Kindness (8-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Paparaazi (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 5th of 9, 9l behind Society Music (8-4) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Dante's Diamond (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on until headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Dream Tonic (9-3) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Comeintothespace (IRE) 10-1 (7-13) Slowly into stride, behind, headway 4f out, ridden over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Rathor (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Major Magpie (IRE) 10-3fav (9-4) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 12, 3l behind Azizam (9-9) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn hcp (5) gf.
Topiary Ted 25-1 (8-11) Always behind, 9th of 11, 19l behind Barbirolli (9-2) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Merrymadcap (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Dragon Slayer (9-2) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (5) gd.
Ansells Legacy (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, keen, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Aviation (8-10) at Haydock 1m 3yo mdn clm (6) gd.
