went right start, chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon weakened
steadied in rear, in touch, headway over 1f out, soon nudged along, never able to challenge
led after 1f, headed halfway, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in touch, lost place over 2f out
tracked leaders, raced keenly, driven to challenge over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, all out
pulled hard in touch, headway over 1f out, soon chasing winner, kept on same pace
led 1f, led again halfway, headed over 1f out, weakened closing stages
Nonrunner
Indian Skipper may have had his day for now and we'll side with TESSLAM instead; Big Noise could go well at a price. Michael Jarvis has had a fine season and his charge posted a fine effort in defeat last time, confirming his liking for genuine fast ground. With that likely, he's worth siding with in this less competitive race despite the 4lb rise he's incurred. Indian Skipper won over six last time and is now 8lbs higher and looks worth taking on. He was undeniably impressive at Redcar and the form has worked out but he's never been easy to predict and has accordingly never won back-to-back. Big Noise might therefore be value for the forecast spot. A talented horse on his day, the six-year-old is only a pound higher than his last winning mark and that came over course and distance. Add that to the fact he's gone well in defeat of late, generally in more competitive races, and he's easy to fancy. Hajoum could be hard to pass if allowed to dictate and returning to his best. However, he did disappoint at Newcastle following a fine Royal Ascot run and therefore has questions to answer. Arabian Mirage showed much more last time and appears to be returning to form, which makes her of interest off 75 given the strength of her winning maiden form. Nezami takes a drop in class but needs help from the handicapper too and so we return to Tesslam.
Hajoum (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Close up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 18l behind Camerooney (8-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Big Noise 6-1 (9-10) Held up, ridden over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, effort entering final furlong, soon hung left, kept on near finish, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Man Of Action (9-2) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Nezami (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear on outside, headway over 2f out, ridden to press leaders over 1f out, stayed on, not pace of leading duo inside final furlong, lost 3rd post, 4th of 10, 6l behind Mahadee (9-5) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Indian Skipper (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Very slowly away, in rear, headway when not much room over 1f out, soon switched right, quickened to lead and hung left inside final furlong, readily, won at Redcar 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun beating Five Star Junior (10-0) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Arabian Mirage 8-1 (9-6) Took keen hold, soon led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Gobama (8-0) at Thirsk 1m flls hcp 0-130 (3) gd in Jun.
Flowing Cape (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up and keen, raced stands side and effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 16, 17l behind Camerooney (8-9) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Tesslam 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on to press winner throughout final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Suited And Booted (9-9) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Averoo 6-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 12, 8l behind Joe Packet (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.