Verdict

GRANITE CITY DOC has won twice in soft going over course and distance already this summer and beaten the likes My Ukulele, Blistering Barney, Vive La Difference and Spirit Of Sarwan in the process. He also finished in front of Termonator when placed back here last time and another bold bid is expected. Star Of Valour won at Haydock last month but Mustaqbal will take advantage of a slide down the weights before long and makes more appeal. Elixsoft won on faster going here earlier while Colonel Slade landed a double on the all-weather last year.

Formwatch

Five Helmets (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Steadied start, held up in rear, never on terms, 7th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Regal Mirage (9-6) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug.

Granite City Doc 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, made headway and ridden along 3f out, ran on well from over 1f out, went third towards finish, never nearer, 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Our Girl Sheila (8-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (4) gs in Aug.

Star Of Valour (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Slowly into stride, well off the pace towards rear, headway on outside went 3rd and stayed on inside final furlong, never any chance to challenge, 2nd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Kayewhykelly (9-3) at Haydock 1m hcp (5) gd in Aug.

Vive La Difference (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Slowly away, towards rear, pushed along 3f out, never a factor, 9th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Granite City Doc (9-10) at Hamilton 1m hcp (5) sft in Aug.

My Ukulele (IRE) 15-2 (9-10) Close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Granite City Doc (9-10) at Hamilton 1m hcp (5) sft in Aug.

Zodiakos (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, raced keenly towards rear, ridden and not clearest of runs over 1f out, some late headway, never on terms, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Royal Big Night (9-11) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gd in Jul.

Colonel Slade (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Led after 1f, soon left switched to race on rail, strongly challenged over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Swiss Cheer (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov.

Termonator 33-1 (8-9) Raced in midfield, ridden and headway 3f out, every chance 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 15, 3l behind Our Girl Sheila (8-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (4) gs in Aug.

Strong Steps 22-1 (8-10) Unseated rider and ran loose briefly on way to post, tracked leaders on outside, ridden inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Hajjam (9-10) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.

Blistering Barney (IRE) 100-1 (9-4) Close up, pushed along and outpaced 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, rallied final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Granite City Doc (9-10) at Hamilton 1m hcp (5) sft in Aug.

Spirit Of Sarwan (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Slowly away in rear, never a factor, 12th of 13, 11 1/2l behind Granite City Doc (9-10) at Hamilton 1m hcp (5) sft in Aug.

Hector's Here 8-1 (9-5) Dwelt held up, headway on inner and in touch over 5f out, ridden and no impression 2f out, 7th of 15, 10 1/2l behind Zihaam (9-6) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jul.

Elixsoft (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Held-up, ridden 2f out, never involved, 13th of 15, 11l behind Harbour Vision (9-13) at Doncaster 7f hcp (6) gf in Aug.

Mustaqbal (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, some headway towards inside when not clear run over 1f out, ran on towards finish, never nearer, 4th of 11, 3l behind Hajjam (9-10) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.