chased leaders, ridden along halfway, driven, kept on final furlong
towards rear, soon chased along, effort when not much room, switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
made all, pushed along halfway, kept on gamely final furlong
dwelt, behind, soon chased along, some late headway, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, hung left when driven, one pace final furlong
mid-division, effort halfway, no impression
prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden along halfway, soon beaten
towards rear, soon chased along, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, hung left when weakening final furlong
Nonrunner
SLOOP JOHNB can call the tune once again in this excellent sprint, taking the top prize away from one of Lochstar, Indian Trail and The Nifty Fox. The last-named would be interesting off this mark of 80 if fully wound up for this reappearance but he has needed a run or two in the past to reach his peak and he can be passed over, unless the market screams in his favour. The selection Sloop Johnb, named after the Beach Boys hit, comes here chasing a hat-trick following wins at Beverley and over this course and distance in May. A 5lb rise in the weights looks manageable, especially with the weight allowance he receives as a three-year-old up against his elders for the first time, and he looks the one to beat. His trainer did well with horses like Hamish McGonagall, Utmost Respect and Harrison George when they were three-year-olds stepping out of their age group and this horse could follow in their footsteps. The list of dangers is long and plentiful, perhaps headed by Lochstar. Andrew Balding's gelding is from one of the top sprinting families and he still has plenty of improvement to come. Jaconet was well-held recently at Musselburgh but he is better than that although he may now be in the handicappers grip, so of more interest may be Indian Trail who bounced back to form with a win in the Epsom 'Dash' last Saturday but he did get the run of the race. First Order could be well-handicapped, whilst Haajes and Equuleus Pictor represent shrewd yards and neither can be ruled out. Kay Two may struggle to concede weight to all but one of his rivals on a speed track that won't play to his strengths, and so it is Sloop Johnb that we return to for the winner.
Kay Two (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Biniou (8-8) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Indian Trail 11-1 (8-2) Steadied and hampered start, behind, good headway and switched left over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to lead post, won at Epsom Downs 5f hcap (2) gd beating Captain Dunne (9-1) by shd, 18 ran.
Equuleus Pictor 4-1fav (8-7) Close up, not much room and switched left 2f out, soon led, stayed on well, won at Haydock 5f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in May beating Luscivious (8-0) by 3l, 11 ran.
Haajes 8-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden halfway, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Rothesay Dancer (8-1) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Solar Spirit (IRE) 3-1fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Baby Strange (8-13) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Lochstar 15-8fav (9-7) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 5f Handicap (0-85) (3yo+) (4) pol in May beating Peak District (9-11) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Stoneacre Lad (IRE) 40-1 (8-3) With leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong, 11th of 14, 6l behind Ishetoo (8-5) at York 5f hcp 105 (2) gf in May.
The Nifty Fox 66-1 (8-12) Chased leaders stand's side group, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 27, 10l behind Against The Grain (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) hvy in Sep.
Steelcut 28-1 (7-13) Mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 15, 6l behind Pavershooz (7-13) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Le Toreador 7-2fav (8-12) Led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Total Impact (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Chartist 16-1 (8-13) Led, driven and headed 1f out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 12l behind Novellen Lad (8-13) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Green Park (IRE) 40-1 (8-8) In touch, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Baby Strange (8-13) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
King Of Swords (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, one pac, 6th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Mr Wolf (9-2) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Jaconet (USA) 7-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, last of 15, 8l behind Pavershooz (7-13) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 105 (2) gd.
First Order 12-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, one pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Rothesay Dancer (8-1) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Sloop Johnb 8-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at York 5f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May beating Champagne Future (9-1) by 1l, 13 ran.
Kyzer Chief 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 9l behind Blue Tomato (9-5) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 105 (3) gd.
