Verdict

Stratum beat Reshoun in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot in June and has limitless stamina. William Buick partners Willie Mullins’ raider but, with the arrival of the rains, TRUESHAN can be unleashed again and Alan King’s top-class stayer shouldn’t be troubled to see these off. He had Coltrane behind when a close-up third in the Goodwood Cup last time and Island Brave was beaten a long way when the selection defied a huge weight to land the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle earlier. Get Shirty has had a terrific season but has 14lb to find with the selection on official ratings.

Formwatch

Coltrane (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 10f out behind clear leader (winner), ridden 3f out, never closed, just held on to 2nd, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Quickthorn (9-5) at York 2m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug.

Get Shirty (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Towards rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, stayed on one pace, 5th of 20, 3 1/4l behind Trawlerman (9-4) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.

Island Brave (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Led, headed after 5f, pushed along over 3f out, led again over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Sep beating Charging Thunder (9-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.

Reshoun (FR) 25-1 (9-5) Towards rear, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, no chance with winner, almost took 2nd, 3rd of 6, 14 1/4l behind Quickthorn (9-5) at York 2m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug.

Stratum 10-1 (9-7) Held up off the pace towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, steady headway 2f out, switched right and chased leaders over 1f out, ridden and went 2nd final 100 yards, stayed on best to lead towards finish, won at Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun beating Reshoun (9-4) by 1l, 12 ran.

Trueshan (FR) 2-1 (9-11) Keen in midfield, rapid headway on outside 3f out, ridden to press leader over 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Kyprios (9-11) at Goodwood 2m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jul.

Haizoom 7-2 (9-3) Prominent, ridden well over 2f out, kept on but always held by facile winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Wise Eagle (9-9) at Musselburgh 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Aug.

Lismore (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Pushed along from stalls, soon tracked leaders, 2nd after 4f, pushed along 5f out, ridden and weakened entering straight, 8th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Yaxeni (9-2) at Gowran Park 1m 6f lst fll stks (1) Yielding in May.