led early, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, well held from over 1f out
mid-division, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden and squeezed through to chase leader 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged left, ran on
mid-division, lost place and drifted left over 4f out, well beaten over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, edged left 2f out, never nearer
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, hampered over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, not clear run over 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, went 2nd close home, not able to trouble winner
soon led, headed 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, no impression
This looks up for grabs as none arrive in sparkling form. Sir Nod and Earlsmedic are certainly capable of winning if back to their best, but Whiskey Junction will find this tougher than the claimer he won at Wolverhampton recently. Steel City Boy and He's A Humbug have been threatening in lesser grade races, while Nicholas Pocock drops back in distance having gone close over 7f last time. KINGS 'N DREAMS is not the most consistent, but he's 5lb lower than last year's win at Nottingham and the booking of Kieren Fallon suggests he may be ready to strike. He gets a tentative vote here.
Sir Nod 8-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace approaching final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Orpenindeed (9-7) at Chester 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
Whiskey Junction 13-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders, switched left halfway, effort 1f out, soon every chance, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Danzoe (9-10) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Kings 'n Dreams 18-1 (8-11) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 12l behind Legal Legacy (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Lady Florence 50-1 (9-1) Soon prominent, shaken up over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 9l behind Wiseman's Diamond (8-13) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Nicholas Pocock (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, not clear run from over 2f out until inside final furlong, edged right and ran on towards finish, 4th of 10, 1/2l behind Positivity (9-1) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
He's A Humbug (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Awkward leaving stalls, in rear, ridden and headway in centre over 1f out, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Boga (8-9) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Sea Salt 11-2 (9-7) Prominent, outpaced halfway, soon hung left, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Liberty Ship (9-1) at Doncaster 5f app hcp (6) gd.
Mount Hollow 11-1 (8-7) In touch on inside, ridden in 4th inside final 2f, went 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, dropped to 4th towards finish, 4th of 11, 4l behind Jungle Bay (9-11) at Chester 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Led, ridden when rider dropped whip over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Katy's Secret (9-6) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) sft.
Bossy Kitty 10-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Media Jury (9-8) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Earlsmedic 15-2 (8-10) Went right start, raced wide in touch, chased leaders and ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind We Have A Dream (10-0) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Northern Bolt 33-1 (9-1) Soon pushed along in rear, 10th of 14, 12l behind Boy The Bell (8-8) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
