always rear division, struggling when hung left and eased over 1f out
held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway and hanging right from over 2f out, effort on rails over 1f out, stayed on well to take 2nd final 75 yards, not able to reach winner
dwelt, soon in mid division on inside, one pace and no chance when trapped on rail just inside final 2f, eased
in rear, keeping on one pace and no chance when not much room inside final furlong
mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, one pace and no impression soon after
dwelt, took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
stumbled start and started slowly, behind, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, nearest finish
slowly into stride, behind, some late headway, never in contention
tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, kept on well when pressed from over 1f out, ridden and headed last half furlong, kept on, lost 2nd final 75 yards
towards rear, made som late headway but never in contention
towards rear of mid-division on rail, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not able to reach leaders
tracked leading trio, tracked leading pair over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
bumped start, always towards rear
tracked leading quartett, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in 6th, headway on outside just over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, strong run to lead final 100 yards, stayed on well
soon crssed over to track leader until hung right and weakened over 2f out
ACROSTIC can win this race for the second year in a row, primarily at the expense of Set The Trend, Hacienda and Desert Creek. Luca Cumani's gelding is 7lbs higher than twelve months ago but his two runs this year have suggested that he can win from this perch. He handles quick ground and is fancied to strike late for victory. The drop in trip should suit Tartan Gigha but he looks weighted to his best, the longer trip should suit Al Khaleej, whilst Coasting was well-fancied here last month and is not to be ignored with this trip likely to be in range judging by his bloodlines. Set The Trend looked all over the winner at Epsom but was worn down late on by Tartan Gigha but he should come on for that run and more market support would encourage, as it would for the wildly in-form Charlie Cool and fellow Middleham Park-owned horse Collateral Damage. Oratory and Dunn'o come here in good form, however the best recent form might be that of Greyfriarschorista who went down by less than a length in the Britannia. The drop in trip will suit Desert Creek but he needs to start fulfilling his undoubted potential. With recent winners Opus Maximus and Hacienda representing Mark Johnston, and the big handicap regular Huzzah also thrown into the mix it looks ultra competitive, however the vote goes to Acrostic.
Tartan Gigha (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Close up in 4th, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 15, 9l behind Rainbow Peak (9-4) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f listed hcp 0-110 (1) gf in Jun.
Acrostic 10-1 (9-3) Raced far side, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 29, 7l behind Invisible Man (8-9) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Al Muheer (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Raced far side, held up in rear, headway from 2f out, kept on final furlong, never reaced leaders, 12th of 29, 13l behind Invisible Man (8-9) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Al Khaleej (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Raced stands' side, started slowly, held up in rear, ridden and no progress when hung right over 1f out, 17th of 26, 10l behind Treadwell (8-10) at Royal Ascot 7f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
Coasting 7-2fav (9-11) Held up last, switched right looking for room over 2f out, squeezed through over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 5th of 15, 3l behind Crown Choice (9-3) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Set The Trend 7-2fav (9-3) Close up, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, caught post, 2nd of 14, shd behind Tartan Gigha (9-10) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Charlie Cool 13-8fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon not much room, ridden and switched left over 1f out, led last 75 yards, kept on well, won at Ripon 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun beating Templetuohy Max (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Greyfriarschorista 40-1 (9-2) Raced stands side, close up, led group over 2f out until near finish, ran on, 3rd of 27, 3/4l behind Ransom Note (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Oratory (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Distant Memories (9-13) at York 1m 1f hcp 105 (2) gd in Jun.
Dunn'o (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Raced freely, led at decent pace, headed over 1f out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Flora Trevelyan (8-10) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in May.
Collateral Damage (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Tartan Gunna (8-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Moynahan (USA) 28-1 (8-5) Raced far side, mid-division, staying on when badly hampered on rail over 1f out, not able to recover, 16th of 29, 16l behind Invisible Man (8-9) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Desert Creek (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Took keen hold early, chased winner, well held 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 8l behind Kings Destiny (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Mr Willis 33-1 (8-6) Raced far side, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 8th of 26, 4 1/2l behind Treadwell (8-10) at Royal Ascot 7f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Chester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Bahamian Lad (8-8) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Black Spirit (USA) 8-1 (9-8) Raced center in touch, merged with stands' side group halfway, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 12, 17l behind Oasis Dancer (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Hacienda (IRE) 6-4 (8-7) Made all, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Hamilton 1m cond Stakes (3) gf in Jun beating Yamal (9-3) by 4l, 5 ran.
