held up, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, effort and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, led over 3f out, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
led, ridden along and headed over 3f out, remained in touch, driven and outpaced over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
towards rear, ridden along and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
always in rear
held up, ridden halfway, edged right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
In a very good contest, Steel Blue is selected ahead of Celtic Sultan and Bahamian Pirate. Running through these and Caribbean Coral can never be entirely ruled out at this type of level, while Celtic Sultan's fourth to Shmookh at Newmarket last time reads as solid form, particularly given that horse's very good run at Goodwood from a higher mark last week. Bahamian Pirate has recent form enough from higher marks to be given some thought today, while Desert Commander likes this course and distance and is on a winning mark. Dingaan is now just a pound above his Goodwood winning mark so cannot be ruled out on that basis, while Malcheek is another that has dropped to a favourable mark but all of his career wins have come at seven furlongs. Whitbarrow has been a revelation this season, having won five of his last six races but a further six pounds rise will test him. Wanchai Lad needs a career-best effort if he is to score, being four pounds above a winning rating, while course and distance winner Inter Vision is undoubtedly well weighted if able to get back to anywhere near his best 2006 form. Elkhorn is edging up the weights for good runs and is another that needs a career-best performance in order to score, while Yorkshire Blue has dropped back to a winning mark although that success came on heavy going. Finally, Steel Blue benefited from a delightful ride by Hayley Turner to win at Thirsk three days ago and, with his confidence high and still being reasonably weighted based on best 2006 form, he is fully entitled to respect. And, indeed, for the selection, we turn to Steel Blue.
Caribbean Coral 12-1 (8-13) Steadied and switched right start, behind, effort 2f out, no impression, 12th of 16, 5l behind Fullandby (8-13) at Ayr 5f hcap (2) gs in Jul.
Desert Commander (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Always behind stand's side, last of 16, 10l behind Fullandby (8-13) at Ayr 5f hcap (2) gs in Jul.
Dingaan (IRE) 50-1 (7-10) Took keen hold early, some late progress but mainly towards rear, 15th of 27, 7l behind Third Set (8-2) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gs in Jul.
Malcheek (IRE) 66-1 (7-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 18th of 27, 8l behind Third Set (8-2) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gs in Jul.
Whitbarrow (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Made all, pushed out final furlong, won at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul beating Steel Blue (8-6) by 2l, 12 ran.
Inter Vision (USA) 25-1 (9-7) Switched to race far side after 1f, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 29l behind Balakiref (8-11) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.
Elkhorn 4-1fav (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway to lead 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Sunrise Safari (9-11) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Yorkshire Blue 10-1 (8-5) Held up stands side group, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 8th of 11, 10l behind Balakiref (8-11) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.
Steel Blue 7-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, held on near finish, won at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Sir Nod (9-6) by a nk, 10 ran.
Celtic Sultan (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Led stands side group and overall leader, ridden and headed just over 1f out, kept on well towards finish, 4th of 19, 2 1/2l behind Shmookh (8-7) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
Bahamian Pirate (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 12l behind Zomerlust (9-5) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) hvy in Jul.
Wanchai Lad 8-1 (9-10) Mid-division, edged left 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong, 6th of 11, 8l behind Glasshoughton (8-9) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Jul.
