led 1f remained prominent, driven and led again 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
led after 1f, ridden and hung left over 1f out, soon hung right and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, under pressure halfway, never on terms
mid-division, some late headway, never nearer
held up in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, soon ridden to challenge, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
held up in touch, headway 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
behind, pushed along before halfway, soon no impression
slowly into stride, behind and soon outpaced, never a factor
MERCHANT OF MEDICI sets a decent standard among those to have run before, and carries our support, ahead of Cat Hunter and Louisiana Gift. There's just one newcomer in Ermyn Express, so take note if that's being supported, but she doesn't look to be anything special. Merchant of Medici steps up in trip and back down in class; he posted his best effort on his second run following an enforced lay-off when on fast going, so should appreciate the surface, on which he's making his debut. He's qualified for handicaps, but is remaining in maiden company, at least for the time being. Cat Hunter will get an official mark after this race, and progressed nicely from debut to second run. In time she should get further than this; the yard do well here, although they've been a little cold of late. Louisiana Gift is trying his third Polytrack circuit, having failed to land a blow at either Kempton or Wolverhampton last month. Reddy To Star has been anything but, and is the most exposed but also looked regressive since runner up in his first couple of outings. The market needs a watch, but we like the look of Merchant Of Medici.
Fivefold (USA) 66-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, took keen hold and soon in touch, weakened 2f out, 8th of 12, 11l behind Sahara Kingdom (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol.
Brave Ghurka 33-1 (9-3) Slight lead to over 3f out, regained lead 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 4l behind Za Za Zoom (8-12) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs.
Light The Way 25-1 (9-3) Outpaced and always in rear, last of 9, 13l behind Spanish Duke (9-3) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf in Sep.
Louisiana Gift (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) In touch, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 8l behind Kings Bayonet (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Sep.
Merchant Of Medici 2-1fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden after 2f, never going pace of leaders, 9th of 15, 12l behind No Explaining (8-12) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs.
Reddy To Star (IRE) 22-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway towards centre over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 12l behind Ransom Note (8-8) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Tregony Bridge 66-1 (8-11) Mid-division, raced keenly, pushed along and lost place over 3f out, behind when hung left over 2f out, last of 10, 29l behind Layline (8-9) at Chepstow 1m 2yo mdn aut (6) gs in Sep.
Goodwood Diva 12-1 (9-0) Well outpaced in rear, pushed along and struggling halfway, 7th of 8, 33l behind Hasty (9-0) at Folkestone 7f mdn fll stks (5) gf in Jul.
Cat Hunter 7-1 (8-6) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Thrust Control (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Ermyn Express Selkirk filly out of Aymara.
Wee Bobbie 100-1 (8-4) In rear, always behind, 10th of 11, 9l behind Pherousa (8-3) at Bath 5f 2yo fll mdn aut (6) gd in Sep.
