took keen hold early, soon steadied into 6th, closer on outside halfway, led 2f out, ridden and narrowly headed inside final furlong, remained challenging until no extra towards finish
led early, tracked leader until halfway, chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
soon led, headed inside final 3f, chased leaders, weakened 2f out
tracking leaders on inside when steadied off heels and lost place slightly inside final mile, smooth headway on outside tracking leaders over 2f out, ridden into narrow lead inside final furlong, headed near finish
soon pushed along in last pair, rapid headway on outside chasing leader halfway, led inside final 3f, headed 2f out, rallied on rails to lead again near finish
awkwardly away, held up last, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders on outside, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, switched left and went 3rd close home
Pivoine cantered all over his field when scoring over course and distance last month and faces the same conditions here. Understandably the subject of heavy punishment from the handicapper, he's expected to play a leading role despite a 10lb rise in the weights. Nayel is better than his last run suggests and King's Proctor looks best of the younger brigade but the pair to make most appeal are Alfarris and MELTING DEW. Both are on the upgrade, having been handled with customary skill by their respective trainers as they progress through the rankings. There was little or nothing between them when the pair clashed at Chelmsford over a year ago and it's likely to be close again but the Stoute charge just receives the nod in the belief he may be better suited to track and ground.
Pivoine (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd on bit over 2f out, led 2f out, came clear over 1f out, ridden out, very easily, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jun beating Derek Duval (8-11) by 6l, 9 ran.
Nayel (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Keen in touch, switched left over 2f out, soon weakened, 16th of 17, 20 1/2l behind Dash Of Spice (9-3) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gf in Jun.
Not So Sleepy 8-1 (9-6) Held up last pair, 8th and plenty to do when hung left and ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, almost snatched 3rd, 4th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Ajman King (9-6) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jun.
Alfarris (FR) 7-2 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Jun beating Rainbow Rebel (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Melting Dew 3-1 (8-12) Soon led, headed over 5f out, tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, held on gamely non runner, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Jun beating Nonios (9-1) by nk, 8 ran.
Alternative Fact 50-1 (9-0) In touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8l behind Old Persian (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun.
King's Proctor (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along over 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, 9th of 12, 22 1/2l behind Kew Gardens (9-0) at Ascot 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Bathsheba Bay (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Ibraz (9-3) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Blue Laureate 20-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden 2f out, never nearer, 7th of 11, 5l behind Ibraz (9-3) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
