tracked clear leading pair, ridden early straight, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, driven along and headway on outer 3f out, hung left but stayed on to take 3rd just inside fianl furlong, not chance with front pair
held up in mid-division, 5th and ridden straight, weakened over 2f out
close up in chasing group, chased leaders, and hung left from 2f out, soon weakened
led chasing group, effort to chase leading pair 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, driven along early straight, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden early straight, no headway final 2f
held up in mid-division, effort and hung left from 2f out, soon weakened
tracked clear leader, left in lead entering straight, kept on well until headed entering final furlong, not quicken
close up in chasing group, closed to chased leaders 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, led entering final furlong, pushed out
led and soon clear, came to stand rail straight, soon headed and behind
held up in rear, ridden along 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, no danger
Topkat can live up to his name and again get the better of old rivals Salute and Bendarshaan, while Merrymaker, Blackmail and Flying Spirit are others with each-way claims that are worth noting in the betting. Flying Spirit was second in this last year from a 6lb higher mark and, even though he has to reverse course and distance form with Blackmail from just twelve days ago, he should not be underestimated with his claims on these terms. Blackmail obviously goes well here and his locally-based trainer will no doubt have him spot on for this. However, he has been well beaten in this before and has a bit to prove on balance. Merrymaker went close at Chester in a similar contest 10 days ago and has a fair chance on that run alone. However, he also needs everything to drop right for him and, as he is on a long losing run on turf, he now has more on his plate. Bendarshaan and Salute have also got as little but to find with the selection and need to pull something out of the fire when this season's form is taken on face value. Therefore, we stick with Topkat, who, despite his relative inexperience, has already shown that he has the ability to figure strongly in this sort of company.
Salute (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Mid-division, driven over 3f out, weakening when not much room well over 2f out, 12th of 13, 13l behind Bay Story (9-1) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Topkat (IRE) 4-1fav (9-9) Held up rear, ridden 2f out, switched right over 1f out, running on but edged left final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 18, shd behind Boot 'n Toot (9-1) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Scottish River (USA) 8-1 (11-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, steady headway from 4f out, led inside final 2f, driven out, won at Windsor 1m 4f amt hcp (5) gf beating Nina Fontenail (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mad Carew (USA) 6-1 (9-7) Close up, effort on wide outside and driven 3f out, hanging left and weakened 2f out, 9th of 13, 22l behind Magic Sting (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f clm (5) gs.
Sualda (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden to lead 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Camrose (9-12) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gd.
Bendarshaan 7-2jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Annambo (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Dancing Lyra 10-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, headway final 2f, kept on, 4th of 12, 3/4l behind Garden Society (9-6) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (3) gf.
Merrymaker 13-2 (11-1) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, led 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Golden Boot (10-10) at Chester 1m 4f amt hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Flying Spirit (IRE) 11-4fav (9-13) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 11l behind Blackmail (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (5) gd.
Bollin Thomas 14-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge when hung left over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 10l behind Vicious Prince (9-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) gd.
Jidiya (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 20, 8l behind True Companion (10-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Blackmail (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Held up, smooth headway on outer from 3f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on near finish, won at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (5) gd beating Mister Right (9-8) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
