tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
held up behind leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
made all, led, set steady pace, quickened over 3f out, hard driven and kept on gamely final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
tracked winner, driven to challenge over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
dwelt, took keen hold towards rear, driven over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Aleron is a versatile sort and can get the better of San Deng if this boils down to a head to head between those two, while Oddsmaker and Sharp Reply can also make a fist of it if they decide to run to the best of their abilities. Sharp Reply should have benefited from his two previous outings this season and will be suited by the ground staying firm. The son of Diesis doesn't have many miles on the clock and is worth noting in the betting market. Oddsmaker has dropped to an attractive mark and will also handle the expected the going. His rider takes 7lb off his back with his claim and a bold run would not be surprising. San Deng is not without ability and arrives here on the back of a couple of solid performances. However, he doesn't win that often and will always be a risky proposition for win only purposes. Which brings us back to Aleron, whose best form on the level has been around this sort of trip. He is just 1lb higher than his Hamilton success from May and, having gone well for Graham Gibbons earlier in the month, another bold show is expected today.
Sharp Reply (USA) 25-1 (8-3) Chased leaders to halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 13th of 17, 7l behind Chantaco (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Aleron (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Held up, behind leaders, ridden when not much room 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Zarova (8-2) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 7-2co-fav (9-9) Tracked leader, challenged 4f out, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, outpaced when not much room over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 9l behind Mr Majestic (8-7) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Bowled Out (GER) 16-1 (8-5) In touch, driven over 4f out, weakening when eased over 2f out, last of 7, well behind Tannenberg (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in May.
San Deng 7-2 (8-5) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Sualda (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Oddsmaker (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) In touch and keen, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 14l behind Compton Eclaire (8-4) at York 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Melvino 8-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and some headway 2f out, no impression when eased inside final furlong, 10th of 15, 9l behind Fossgate (9-6) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Edas 22-1 (9-2) In touch, joined leaders 7f out, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 15l behind Nordwind (9-6) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
