took keen hold, soon led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off and eased
held up towards rear, headway from 3f out, effort on outside well over 1f out, sustained run to lead just over 1f out, driven and hung right inside final furlong, just held on, all out
held up towards rear, headway to mid-division halfway, chased leaders over 4f out, 2nd 3f out, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, chased leaders, one pace and lost place when not clearest of runs over 2f out, no chance after
mid-division, pushed along 5f out, behind final 3f, tailed off, eased
towards rear, headway and well in touch over 4f out, chased leading pair inside final 3f, ridden and every chance 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and hung right from over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up well in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to get competitive
never reached beyond mid-division
took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, still pressing leaders over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards
close up, headway on inside 3f out, chasing leaders and going for gap on rail when badly hampered and hit rail over 2f out, eased
started very slowly, behind, rapid headway to go well in touch over 8f out, outpaced and dropped towards rear over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
mid-division, hung right and ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
raced in mid-division, towards rear 4f out, never on terms after
The Sir Michael Stoute team are very much back to form and VERDANT can continue the purple patch by taking another wide open handicap although Bowdler's Magic can go close under a penalty and Berling may have his say. A well bred sort the selection hasn't always been the most consistent but was a cosy winner at Salisbury last time out. The form from that race has some strength to it and this progressive type can improve enough to overcome an 8lbs mark rise. Bowdler's Magic carries his penalty for a facile success also at Salisbury on his last run and under that extra burden looks well-weighted. Berling is forgiven is loss at Haydock on his last run as it came too soon after a bold bid at Royal Ascot. That run behind Fantino at the Royal meeting is working out really well and John Dunlop's runner should play his part. Sea Of Heartbreak has won four of his five starts and is progressive enough to handle his latest mark rise but in a wide open contest Verdant can land another valuable prize for Sir Michael Stoute.
Emirates Dream (USA) 7-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway 4f out, challenged over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Myplacelater (9-0) at Leicester 1m 2f con stks (3) gd.
Verdant 5-6fav (8-10) Tracked leading pair, closed over 3f out, tracked leader inside final 3f, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, in control final 110 yards, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf beating Australia Day (9-12) by 3l, 7 ran.
Bowdler's Magic 5-4fav (9-3) Took keen hold, made all, pushed clear inside final 2f, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf beating Tactician (9-6) by 7l, 5 ran.
Sour Mash (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Tracked leading trio, effort on outside over 2f out, led inside final 2f, ridden and stayed on, headed final 110 yards, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 7, nk behind Cumulus Nimbus (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Sea Of Heartbreak (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, not clear run and looking for room from 3f out, switched sharply left and squeezed through over 2f out, soon quickened to challenge, led over 1f out, soon drew clear, comfortably, won at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Nafura (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Contract Caterer (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 19, 2 1/2l behind Circumvent (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Berling (IRE) 2-5fav (9-0) Prominent, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 4th of 5, 2 3/4l behind Anhar (9-7) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Jutland 6-5fav (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, driven out, won at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Flying Destination (8-13) by 1l, 9 ran.
Fareej (USA) 8-1 (9-9) Tracked leading pair, unable to quicken as pace lifted over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 6l behind Cumulus Nimbus (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Mataaleb 12-1 (9-7) Tracked leader until over 2f out, 3rd and one pace when edged right and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Vulcanite (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Mister Angry (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Chased leaders, raced stands side over 4f out, led 3f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Bollin Felix (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Mount Athos (IRE) 1-4fav (9-7) Tracked leading trio, headway travelling strongly to lead 3f out, in command when edged right final furlong, pushed out, readily, won at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Baltimore Clipper (9-7) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Grey Bunting 6-1 (8-5) Close up in 5th, pushed along 4f out, ridden and stayed on to 3rd 2f out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Emerging Artist (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Boston Blue 3-1 (9-6) Held up behind, ridden and headway on outside when hung left over 3f out, challenged and every chance over 1f out, wandered under pressure inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Montparnasse (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Life And Soul (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Always in rear-division, struggling and no chance when hampered just inside final 2f, 14th of 18, 13l behind Dandino (8-13) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Issabella Gem (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Prominent, outpaced over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Nouriya (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo fll mdn (5) gf in Jun.
