raced centre, held up, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
raced centre, keen held up in rear, ridden and weakened 2f out
led centre group 4f, weakened when short of room entering final 2f
raced centre, keen, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
raced centre, always in rear
slowly into stride, raced centre, mid-division, ridden 3f out, never near leaders
raced centre, chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon hung left, kept on one pace
raced centre, tracked leader, led centre group 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace
raced far side, overall leader until 3f out, headed approaching 2f out, kept on one pace
raced far side, tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and soon overall leader, ran on
raced far side, held up in touch, chased winner 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, raced stand side, chased stand side leader, weakened over 2f out
raced stand side, led pair, overall leader 3f out, hung left to centre 2f out, headed entering final 2f, ridden and stayed on
A trappy affair in which Thabaat is marginly preferred to Giant Slalom and Lap Of Honour. Barry Hills' team have been in good form of late so it was surprising to see Thabaat put up such a disappointing run at Chester on his most recent outing. It could be worth taking the view that he didn't handle the track and having been a couple of months off, any ills obtained on that day have had time to work their way out by now. Giant Slalom makes plenty of appeal on pedigree. His father was a soft ground sprinter so he makes obvious appeal now dropped in trip. Lap Of Honour is very much in form at present. The son of Danehill Dancer has progressed from a low handicap base and seems capable of coping with any surface. Jaasoos wouldn't mind the sun shining as his better efforts have obtained on a faster surface. Top Bid hails from a stable in form and it would be no surprise to see a return to front running tactics this afternoon. Transcend has proved disappointing on more than one occasion so is reluctantly opposed. Lunces Lad has ran creditably in handicap company so the market is watched in order to see whether connections see more improvement is likely. College Scholar was well supported on heavy going at Ripon without success. More is required here. Flying Goose has raced on fast ground throughout the season and now tackles conditions with a little more give underfoot. Thabaat is potentially unexposed but has to be forgiven a below par effort at Chester before the betting boots are put on.
Cesc 33-1 (9-0) Keen in mid-division, dropped rear over 4f out, soon ridden, stayed on again final furlong, 6th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Docofthebay (8-13) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
College Scholar (GER) 7-2 (9-2) Hampered start, in touch, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 11l behind El Bosque (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (2) hvy in Jul.
Touch of Style (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Soon chasing leaders, pushed along and one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 4l behind Amarna (9-3) at Kempton 1m mdn stk (5) pol.
Masai Moon 10-1 (9-4) Chased winner throughout, driven along 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Zaahid (8-8) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Jaasoos (IRE) 7-4fav (8-7) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Lovelace (8-4) at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
Thabaat 4-1 (9-0) Fly-jump leaving stalls, held up, not clear run over 1f out and inside final furlong, soon eased when no chance, last of 9, 5l behind Annemasse (9-3) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp (2) gd in May.
Yaroslav (USA) 9-1 (8-6) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge from 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 16, 4l behind Docofthebay (8-13) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Lunces Lad (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Awkward start, held up in rear, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on well, never nearer, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Big Noise (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Flying Goose (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Big Noise (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Transcend 12-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Cape Hawk (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Lord Theo 25-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out, 6th of 9, 7l behind Bee Eater (9-8) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Lap of Honour (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) Made virtually all, challenged from over 2f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd beating Celtic Change (8-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Top Bid 20-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Lap of Honour (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Darfour 40-1 (7-9) Always towards rear, 13th of 17, 16l behind The Illies (7-7) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Giant Slalom 4-1 (8-12) Mid-division and keen, headway over 2f out, switched left to chase leaders over 1f out, not quicken, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Dream Lodge (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Rainbow Mirage (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division until weakened over 2f out, 15th of 16, 11l behind Docofthebay (8-13) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
