behind, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
led early, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, hard ridden and under pressure inside final furlong, driven out
in touch, lost pace 6f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Smart John landed the odds at Warwick last time and is still favourably treated on his old form. This extra two furlongs should hold no fears and he is taken to follow up off a three pounds higher mark. Merrymaker ran well when a close third at Newmarket a couple of runs back, but was a shade disappointing here last time and may just need a rest. Isaaf, on the other hand, is a game old stick who probably found the ground a bit lively last time and will be happier on this surface, so must come into the reckoning. Greenwich Meantime has plenty of ability but may just be getting a little high in the weights these days and a bigger danger could come from Keith Reveley's Let It Be, who followed up a smooth win at Redcar with a decent third here last time and should appreciate this trip. He looks a live threat in a competitive finale, but Smart John is just preferred.
Spectrometer 25-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, badly hampered over 6f out, always behind, 19th of 21, 34l behind Sualda (8-9) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (C) gd in Aug.
Merrymaker 4-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 9, 2l behind Mikao (9-10) at Haydock 1m 4f app hcp (4) gf.
Isa'af (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace and no impression final 2f, 5th of 10, 7l behind Most Definitely (9-6) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Smart John 15-8fav (9-9) In touch, switched right and headway over 4f out, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, driven out, won at Warwick 1m 5f hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Eastborough (10-0) by a shd, 10 ran.
Greenwich Meantime 2-1fav (9-2) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 6l behind Argentum (8-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Let It Be 10-3fav (8-9) Led early, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Montecito (8-3) at Haydock 1m 4f fll hcp (4) gf.
My Legal Eagle (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, driven and stayed on same pace final 2f, 5th of 11, 4l behind Empangeni (8-0) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Royal Flynn 10-3fav (9-1) Held up in touch, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Richtee (10-0) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Mary Gray 8-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, led over 8f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on gamely inside final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Yazaar (8-11) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Higher State 100-1 (9-8) Always behind and keen, last of 19, 25l behind Spring Jim (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in May.
Treason Trial 22-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, not much room 3f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 5th of 12, 6l behind Blue Bajan (8-7) at Leicester 1m 4f stk 0-65 (5) gf in Jun.
Caymans Gift 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Top Style (10-12) at Hamilton 1m 5f ldy rds hcp (6) gs in Jun.
