mid-division, headway when not much room 2f out, soon ridden and kept on, one pace
held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, no impression
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, headway when not much room 2f out, switched left and effort over 1f out, stayed on well
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, kept on
led, headed entering final furlong, no extra
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
Responsible for half the original 10-strong field, Mark Johnston has set punters a real poser here and the market must be consulted before taking the plunge on any of the Middleham-trained quintet. HALIFAX is only a token selection, therefore, on the basis that he's been taking on better opposition since scoring comfortably over this trip at Newcastle in a race that's worked out well. He didn't have much luck when seventh at Goodwood last time and can reverse that form with third Pivotman. Hat-trick seeker Ithoughtitwasover looks a danger, as does Swift Alhaarth, while Parlour Games has been running well without real reward on turf since winning on the Polytrack in the spring. Top weight Seelo may be best of the rest as Ivan Vasilevich is climbing the weights.
Seelo (USA) 22-1 (9-3) Slightly hampered start, mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and pressing leaders 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 18, 8l behind Fulgur (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
Halifax (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, took keen hold early, held up, headway to track leaders 7f out, ridden and weakening when hampered inside final 2f, 7th of 11, 10l behind Whiplash Willie (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
Jehanbux (USA) 50-1 (9-0) Chased leaders on inside, weakened 2f out, 10th of 18, 24l behind Brown Panther (8-13) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jun.
Ithoughtitwasover (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, switched left 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul beating Mcbirney (9-7) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Art History (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) In touch on outside, lost place 5f out, renewed effort on outside over 3f out, chasing leaders when badly hampered inside final 2f, one pace and no chance with leading trio over 1f out, 5th of 13, 9l behind Kinyras (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Pivotman 25-1 (8-6) Dwelt, soon chased leader until 7f out, chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, outpaced and driven on outside over 3f out, headway and hung right from 2f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, not pace of leading duo, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Whiplash Willie (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
Parlour Games 6-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden 2f out, no impression until ran on towards finish, not trouble leaders, 4th of 9, 4l behind Aiken (9-2) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
Swift Alhaarth (IRE) 28-1 (8-6) Led, narrowly headed over 2f out, remained pressing leader, hung left over 1f out, led again soon after, headed final 150 yards, stayed on gamely but not pace of leading duo towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Labarinto (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Jul.
State Opera 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, soon headed, weakened well over 1f out, 16th of 18, 46l behind French Hollow (8-9) at York 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Thubiaan (USA) 3-10fav (8-13) Made most, ridden clear over 1f out, eased near finish, comfortable, won at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf in Jul beating Tiny Temper (8-8) by 4l, 8 ran.
Ivan Vasilevich (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden over 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, edged left and ran on gamely, won at Ascot 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul beating Grumeti (9-2) by hd, 7 ran.
Dragonera 5-4fav (9-7) Went left start, held up, headway 4f out, led 2f out, edged right well inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul beating Layla's King (8-4) by 2l, 4 ran.
