Verdict
Two 25/1 chances have won in the past three years so backers beware. Top Notch Tonto was in brilliant form at this time a year ago and though he hasn't struck form so far this campaign he's now on a fair mark and his jockey's claim will be a help. Short Squeeze won a three-year-old handicap at the meeting a year ago but suffered in the weights as a consequence and is now 20lb higher. Parbold ran well enough in a Newmarket Listed event on his first start over a mile and doesn't look badly treated at his best. David O'Meara won this last year and Two For Two could run a big race at a fair price while Gabrial's Kaka ran very well in a tough handicap at Sandown. However, RUSSIAN REALM is given another chance after finishing fourth in that latter event as he didn't get the best of runs and is due a change of fortune.
Formwatch
Top Notch Tonto (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, headway over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 11l behind Gregorian (9-3) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Gabrial's Kaka (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) In rear, outpaced 3f out, headway under pressure on outside over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, went 3rd post, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Velox (8-0) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Boom And Bust (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Stumbled start, soon led, driven and headed 2f out, soon ridden, gradually weakened inside final furlong, last of 7, 6l behind Es Que Love (9-3) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Short Squeeze (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride, raced keenly, mid-division, headway and in touch over 2f out, soon challenged, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, no extra final 100 yards, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Alejandro (9-4) at York 7f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jul.
My Freedom (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, hung right towards far side 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 25th of 29, 21l behind Heavy Metal (8-9) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Prince Of Johanne (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 13, 5l behind Velox (8-0) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Two For Two (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and one pace inside final furlong, no impression, 8th of 10, 5l behind Don't Call Me (9-2) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Energizer (GER) 16-1 (9-2) Keen towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, nearest finish, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Contributer (9-5) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f listed hcp 0-110 (1) gf in Jun.
Santefisio 33-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, brief effort towards far side over 1f out, never involved, 22nd of 29, 11l behind Heavy Metal (8-9) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Red Avenger (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, strong run under pressure into 2nd well inside final furlong, led last stride, won at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gf beating Heavy Metal (9-0) by shd, 17 ran.
Bronze Angel (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, switched right start, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong not quite going pace to reach leaders, 7th of 17, 1 3/4l behind Red Avenger (8-13) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gf.
Navajo Chief 20-1 (9-7) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 18l behind Don't Call Me (9-2) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Parbold (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Table Rock (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo lst stk (1) gs in Jul.
Levitate 100-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, 16th of 28, 8l behind Field Of Dream (9-1) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Passing Star 8-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chasing leaders and edging right over 1f out, ridden and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Safety Check (9-0) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Laffan (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, easily, won at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul beating Ansaab (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Balducci 10-1 (9-7) Raced centre led and soon clear, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 15l behind Balty Boys (9-7) at Newmarket 1m hcp 105 (2) gf in Jul.
Fort Bastion (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Held up towards raer, headway 2f out, not clear run and switced right to rails over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well, not reach leaders, 6th of 17, 1 1/4l behind Red Avenger (8-13) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gf.
Russian Realm 7-2fav (8-13) Towards rear of mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, chased leading pair inside final furlong, held when lost 3rd post, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Velox (8-0) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Kosika (USA) 10-3fav (9-9) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 18l behind Bragging (8-10) at Newmarket 7f fll hcp (2) gf in Jul.