soon pushed along in mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
steady start, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, hung left and kept on inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden 2f out, staying on when edged left, hung right inside final furlong, nearest finish
keen, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, still every chance entering final furlong, stayed on
keen, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A race where it is hard to rule our many of the runners, and with fingers crossed we will plump for Royal Rock ahead of King's Apostle and El Bosque. Chris Wall's gelding comes here in rude health having recorded bloodless back-to-back victories at Kempton and Windsor. So far he is the only horse to have lowered the colours of Big Noise and with his form having a very solid feel to it, he should run another big race despite a hefty 11lb rise in the weights. He acts on any ground, and having avoided an engagement at the Shergar Cup, he gets the nomination. Roger Charlton likes to win this race but Abunai will need to step up on recent efforts and along with Northern Dare faces a tough task from out of the handicap. Of more interest may be Off The record who didn't act on the ground last time out (very quick horse) and now on better going, he looks a threat. Mastership needs help from the handicapper, whilst El Bosque is another who drops in grade but needs to drop down the handicap. Special Day and Kyle are closely matched and with both likely to be there or thereabouts given their consistency, each needs consideration. King's Apostle wasn't beaten far at Ascot a week ago and should be rated as the main danger, however we will stick with Royal Rock to make it three wins in a row.
El Bosque (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, one pace until weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 12l behind Zomerlust (9-5) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) hvy in Jul.
Mastership (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders on stand's side, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 24th of 27, 7l behind Zidane (9-1) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf.
Royal Rock 3-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened clear, eased near finish, won at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jul beating Crystal Gazer (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Off The Record 6-4fav (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 7l behind Final Dynasty (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jul.
King's Apostle (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Genki (8-12) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Special Day 5-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, not much room and squeezed through inside final 2f, good headway final furlong, finished well, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Edge Closer (9-6) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Kyle (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden to challenge 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 10th of 16, 6l behind Docofthebay (8-13) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Northern Dare (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, had every chance entering final furlong, edged left, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, shd behind Swift Princess (8-3) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Abunai 14-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, soon tracking winner, until over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Edge Closer (9-6) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jul.
