mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, wandered under pressure from over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd well inside final furlong
not much room start and switched right, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, eased
in touch, not much room and shuffled back over 5f out, headway to go prominent 3f out, ridden to press winner 2f out, no extra towards finish
soon prominent, ridden and lost place over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, detached over 3f out
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never in contention
took keen hold, prominent, not much room after 2f, carried head high under pressure over 2f out, soon switched right, no run on
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely
raced keenly, pressed winner, lost 2nd 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Topazes has been in the form of his life of late and is taken to win again at the expense of Stevie Thunder and Last Three Minutes. The selection has posted four wins around the country this season going up 31 pounds in the ratings in the process. He is now six pounds higher since winning at Salisbury last time out but as he still looks like he is improving we will once again stay on the right side of him. Stevie Thunder is another to have shot up the weights this season having won three times. He was beaten off his current mark of 88 at Newmarket but this looks an easier opportunity so he is worth noting in the betting market. Last Three Minutes is unexposed with only two runs under his belt. He scored on his only run of the season at Yarmouth when sent off favourite and could be well handicapped off a mark of 87 so any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to Topazes.
Topazes 8-11fav (9-4) Held up, switched right and headway over 1f out, drifted left and led just inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Salisbury 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jul beating Traphalgar (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Stevie Thunder 12-1 (8-12) Held up, headway and hard ridden 2f out, stayed on well, never able to challenge, 4th of 19, 3l behind Duntulm (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Mukhber 15-2 (8-11) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Duntulm (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Irish Mayhem (USA) 9-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, effort on wide outside, driven over 2f out, soon one pace, no impression, 5th of 11, 3l behind Brave Hawk (8-8) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Boy Blue 8-1 (9-5) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Ninefineirishmen (9-1) by 2l, 7 ran.
Reel Buddy Star 7-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Rainbow Mirage (9-9) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
City of The Kings (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 2l behind Sir Xaar (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcap (3) gf in Jul.
Last Three Minutes (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (9-3) Tracked leader, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ran on, readily, won at Yarmouth 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) gf in Jul beating Seventh Cavalry (9-3) by 6l, 7 ran.
