held up, ridden and headway 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on inside final furlong
jumped awkwardly, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
always prominent, led over 1f out, ridden out
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden halfway, soon weakened
mid-division, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
chased leader 4f
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
went to post freely, led and raced freely, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
We will shortlist Curtail, Charles Darwin, Charlton and River Thames here and give the vote to River Thames. Curtail was beaten from this mark at York last time, although he has proven that he can handle cut in the going. Charles Darwin has been raised five pounds for his narrow Nottingham win, but he is on the upgrade and will handle the going. Charlton has a similar profile and gets a solid mention too, while River Thames won his maiden well and, being by Effisio, he should handle the going. Of the others, Live Fast is knocking at the door but he has yet to encounter soft going, while Crimson has yet to live up to a good home reputation, and Empress Jain has not gone on from her debut win. That's our view, then, with the vote going to River Thames.
Curtail (IRE) 22-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 17, 7l behind Prince of Light (9-4) at York 6f 2yo hcp (2) gd.
Charles Darwin (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Nottingham 6f 2yo hcp (5) gs beating Wovoka (9-11) by a hd, 12 ran.
Coburn (FR) 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken when not much room inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3l behind Flying Key (8-6) at Chester 7f 2yo hcp (4) gf.
Sivivatu (USA) 11-10fav (9-0) Made all, ran on well inside final furlong, won at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf beating Hazelhurst (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Charlton 10-1 (8-12) Soon outpaced in rear, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Chepstow 6f 2yo hcp (5) gd beating Nantyglo (9-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
River Thames 11-4 (9-0) Made all, ridden and ran on strongly final furlong, won at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf beating Expensive (8-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sakabula (USA) 4-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn fll aut (5) gs in Jul beating Pommes Frites (8-8) by a nk, 14 ran.
Live Fast (USA) 5-2 (9-0) Led until headed 2f out, kept on, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Racer Forever (9-0) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf.
Crimson (IRE) 3-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, last of 6, 19l behind Melaaya (8-9) at Epsom 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd.
Commander Wish 11-2 (9-0) In touch, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 26l behind Sivivatu (9-0) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf.
Misphire 6-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Niobe (8-11) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf.
Empress Jain 11-1 (8-0) Dwelt, soon prominent, pushed along halfway, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 7l behind Wovoka (7-13) at Redcar 6f 2yo hcp (2) gf.
