chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, led over 2f out until over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure to lead last strides
led 1f, tracked leader 5f, stayed well there, pushed along 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
held up in last pair, outpaced halfway, well behind final 5f, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd after 5f until 10f out, handy, challenged on inside and every chance 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, rapid headway to lead halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, eased when beaten
steadied start, took keen hold in last pair, ran wide on bend 5f out, headway 3f out, stayed on to dispute lead over 1f out, headed last strides
reminders after start, led after 1f until halfway, chased leader, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, headway on wide outside over 3f out, stayed on to dispute lead over 1f out, headed last strides
This is a race that lacks quality so we'll side with course form in the shape of BRAVE BUGSY, who is taken to beat the in-form Dark Energy; Spiritonthemount just about makes the most appeal of the rest. Jimmy Fortune is reunited with our selection, who can surely only improve for returning to the scene of his three victories. After a disappointing run in an arguably better race at Folkestone last time, he's been dropped to a mark just 2lbs higher than he'd won off previously and with the possibility of first-time blinkers bringing about some improvement and fast ground to suit, everything looks in place for a big run. Dark Energy is rated clear second-best and brings a solid recent run of form to the table. Michael Scudamore's charge placed over timber last time having previously gone well on the flat but that effort was over 1m4f and there remains a slight concern as to whether he truly stays this distance on the level, so at the likely prices he's just opposed. Spiritonthemount beat Brave Bugsy over course and distance in May only to suffer a reversal to that same rival when attempting to score again; his profile isn't one of consistency but at these weights he should in theory give our pick something to think about. Casual Garcia hasn't won on the level since 2008 but that was a convincing win on similar ground and he's now only a pound higher; this is a drop in grade too so he's not ruled out but may not be the force of old while Nation State hasn't run on the flat for some time and hasn't been in good enough form over jumps to merit close attention. In a modest contest, Brave Bugsy is taken to enhance his fine record over course and distance.
Perception (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Led until narrowly headed 11f out, stayed chasing leader until 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 26l behind Saborido (8-13) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Nation State 66-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from over 5f out, tailed off final 4f, last of 16, well behind Dr Sharp (9-7) at Newmarket 2m hcap (3) gs in Oct '06.
Basiliko (USA) 66-1 (8-10) Went left start, led, ridden halfway, weakened 3f out, last of 11, 37l behind Gower Song (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun '06.
Casual Garcia 100-1 (9-2) Always rear-division, ridden and struggling 4f out, 16th of 18, 44l behind Bergo (9-2) at Royal Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun.
Brave Bugsy (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in 5th until headway to press winner after 3f, ridden over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened soon after, 7th of 9, 20l behind On Terms (9-4) at Folkestone 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Dark Energy 10-1 (8-13) Held up in 5th and off the pace, closed steadily from 3f out, chased leaders and every chance over 1f out, 3rd and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Dazzling Begum (8-3) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
Spiritonthemount (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, ridden most of way towards rear, no impression, 6th of 9, 9l behind Corr Point (8-10) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
The Composer 25-1 (10-7) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, 8th of 14, 17l behind Kokkokila (11-0) at Goodwood 2m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
