always in rear, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, raced keenly, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace
dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
led, driven and strongly challenged over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, faded final furlong
tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well
dwelt, mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon no impression
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, soon hard ridden, ran on closing stages, never nearer
with leader, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
The rain may have come just in time for LONG AWAITED, who is potentially a lot better than the majority of these. Roger Varian's three-year-old had to work hard to get to the front at Chester last time and could find nothing more in the closing stages but he'd won easily at Ripon the time before and is worth another chance. Bottom weight Rafaaf could be in the firing-line if first-time blinkers produce the desired effect, while it's hard to fault the commitment of Rough Rock though he may find this shorter trip against him here. Macdillon has been in good form lately and should make his presence felt if allowed to take his chance, while Mirza is capable of going close if recapturing his best form.
Rocket Rob (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Behind, soon outpaced, ridden over 1f out, stayed on into mid-division inside final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Medici Time (9-0) at York 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Fabreze 20-1 (9-10) Slowly away, in rear and outpaced, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 9l behind Orpsie Boy (9-6) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Merchant Of Medici 18-1 (9-6) Raced far side, held up, not trouble leaders, 10th of 19, 8l behind Albaqaa (9-7) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Macdillon 7-2 (9-9) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and unable to quicken inside final 2f, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Ritual (9-12) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Long Awaited (IRE) 7-4fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, headway 2f out, driven to lead when edged left 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Roker Park (9-9) at Chester 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Rough Rock (IRE) 11-4 (10-1) Keen tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Amoya (9-5) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Quasi Congaree (GER) 33-1 (8-7) Raced far side, outpaced and always in rear, 24th of 25, 21l behind Son Of The Cat (9-9) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Clear Praise (USA) 3-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, driven and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never on terms, promoted to 4th, 4th of 6, 1 1/2l behind Living It Large (9-4) at Epsom Downs 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
Desert Strike 4-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, only 6th and plenty to do 2f out, headway on inside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, took 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Comptonspirit (9-3) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Rafaaf (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Raced centre, close up, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Brave Dream (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Mirza 66-1 (8-2) Always behind, 18th of 23, 11l behind Bronze Prince (8-6) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Cardinal 12-1 (9-1) In touch, headway 2f out, ridden and soon every chance, no extra near finish, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Below Zero (9-8) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul.
