tracked leaders, hampered 6f out, headway on inner when squeezed 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, switched outside over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride and behind, headway over 4f out, effort 3f out, weakened over 1f out
with leader, led 6f out, edged left over 4f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
led, headed 6f out, soon pushed along and lost place, well behind when eased over 1f out
tracked leaders, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and out paced over 3f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
behind, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
always behind, tailed off final 2f
The three to focus on are Mephisto, Shouette and Essex, with the last-named getting the nomination. Sir Michael Stoute's Sadler's Wells colt had a nice pipe-opener at Newmarket on June 20, and normal improvement would see him land a race of this nature. Mephisto was beaten a length-and-a-half by Hawk Flyer, also trained by Stoute, on his last run, so has to come into the reckoning. The betting market, however, might provide some useful clues as to this race's outcome. Shouette was disappointing when beaten at odds on at Hamilton last time, having finished second to Tuning Fork the time before. The easy going may have been against her there but, overall, she will have to step up her game to get the better of Essex, who will be a popular choice here. Stoop To Conquer looks best of the rest, the step up to 12 furlongs looking sure to suit given her pedigree.
