tracked leader far side, switched to stand side group over 3f out, close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
switched to race stand side over 5f out, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, carried head high and driven to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on
led far side trio, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off
raced far side, tracked leader, led this group over 4f out, switched right to join stand side group over 3f out, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly away, headway to track leader stand side over 5f out, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong
Another Touch bids for back-to-back victories in this and any rain would be a plus. Three-year-olds have a poor record in this but Gabr was beaten under a length by the smart Without Parole in this grade at Sandown in May and was second again at Newmarket earlier this month while Ventura Knight won handicaps at Hamilton and Ayr before finding 1m3f too far last time. Salateen had the run of the race last time at Haydock and does most of his racing over 7f while Secret Art has a mountain to climb at the weights. This is a stiff track so the drop in distance is unlikely to faze BIG COUNTRY and Mick Appleby’s charge can pounce late for a sixth career success.
Another Touch 14-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, mid-division on outside, steadied 6f out, not much room 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 7th of 19, 6 1/2l behind Euchen Glen (9-3) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Big Country (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Led, pushed along and tried to quicken over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Mustashry (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f lst stks (1) gf in Jul.
Salateen 8-1 (9-9) Made all, stuck alone to inside rail turning in, clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Haydock 7f stks (3) gd in Jul beating Keyser Soze (9-5) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Secret Art (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Melting Dew (8-12) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Jun.
Gabr 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leader centre, effort over 1f out, edged left towards far side final furlong, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Naval Intelligence (9-3) at Newmarket 1m lst stks (1) gf in Jul.
Ventura Knight (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Tracked leader early, led over 2f out, ridden and headed final furlong, no extra and lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 5, 4 1/4l behind Raymond Tusk (9-5) at Hamilton 1m 3f lst stks (1) gf in Jul.
