tracked winner, ridden 2f out, no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
switched right to race stand side alone over 5f out, disputed lead 4f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up, switched left over 2f out, effort and hung left over 1f out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish
slowly away, took keen hold in rear, ran around early, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Eve Johnson Houghton hasn't found a winner at Yarmouth this year but has a reasonable prospect with Hobson in this race, whilst Kuanyao comes here after a break looking to continue a winning sequence but we tentatively side with TELL HALAF to pick up the win. The selection has been somewhat unlucky not to win since a victory in May at Lingfield but fortune may favour the Michael Bell trained three-year-old in this race. There is potential for an even better run than when he came up against traffic in his last race. With a better ride here he could score. Kuanyao comes here looking to get a fourth win in a row but returns after a break and this is a tough seasonal bow. He has a good record, particularly towards the latter end of last year and will need to come back with a bang to stand a chance of landing the spoils here. Hobson is a previous course and distance winner but is running off top weight today. Although not ruled out of the equation he may find it difficult to land the top prize. Defector and Rough Rock could be other potential dangers but our preference is for Tell Halaf to take advantage of a favourable weight and win.
Hobson 10-1 (9-5) Prominent on outside, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 11l behind Roman Glory (10-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Kuanyao (IRE) 11-4fav (9-2) Led, edging right from over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, joined post, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec deadheating with Forward Feline (8-10), 12 ran.
Defector (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) In touch on outside, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders, 5th of 12, 4l behind Cape Rock (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Negotiation (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leader until 3f out, last of 10, 30l behind Sacrilege (8-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Tell Halaf 9-2 (9-1) Switched right start, held up in rear on rail, no room and troubled passsage from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, no room towards finish, not able to recover, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Roman Glory (10-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Rough Rock (IRE) 22-1 (8-8) Keen, tracked leader until halfway, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Joe Packet (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Medici Palace 10-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, hampered inside final mile, rapid headway on wide outside to 3rd over 2f out, no chance with leading duo well over 1f out, weakened and lost 2 places final 100 yards, 5th of 13, 12l behind Mirror Lake (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Jun.
Woolfall Sovereign (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Keen, mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 10l behind Buddy Holly (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
