tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after
raced keenly, led, ridden and headed 2f out, chased winner until just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in 5th, effort 2f out, stayed on to 3rd just over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never quite going pace to reach winner
tracked leading trio, headway on outside over 2f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leader until 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
ran in snatches until travelled better from halfway, held up in 7th, driven and headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd just over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never quite going pace to reach winner
held up last, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, modest headway final furlong
held up in last pair, ridden on outside 2f out, never on terms
took keen hold, held up in 6th on inside, pushed along 4f out, switched left over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
Satwa Gold came out best over Hevelius and Desert Recluse when the trio met over course and distance last time but all may have to give best to COLLOQUIAL on this occasion. Henry Candy's runner is up 4lbs and loses the services of Ryan Moore following his win at Sandown, but the extra two furlongs here should suit and Fergus Sweeney knows the horse well. He's has never won off a mark this high but plenty of these look in the grip of the handicapper and our pick arrives at the top of his game. Desert Recluse looked a shade unfortunate when last seen but in truth has probably been found out by the 11lb rise he incurred for winning at York. With that in mind Satwa Gold and Hevelius can be expected to confirm the form with him. It's hard picking between the pair here but Water Swinburn's charge remains open to more progress and could improve past Satwa Gold. Centennial is well-weighted on his best form but that came a while ago when he was with John Gosden and he's done nothing to suggest winning off this mark is within his compass at present, while Keenes Day disappointed over course and distance last time and needs to bounce back. Aaim To Prosper is interesting at a price as he's only 3lbs above his last winning mark and has gone well in the face of some tough assignments of late, but preference in this is for Colloquial.
Centennial (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Soon tracked leader until over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 8l behind Claremont (8-12) at Newbury 1m 5f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Becausewecan (USA) 66-1 (8-8) Mid-division, pushed along and weakened over 3f out, 13th of 19, 30l behind Overturn (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) gf in Jun.
Hevelius 12-1 (9-9) Rear of mid-division, took keen hold, not clear run and switched left 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 5th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Martyr (9-12) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Colloquial 5-1 (10-0) Dwelt, soon tracked leader, challenged 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Outrageous Request (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Keenes Day (FR) 10-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along over 9f out, last over 6f out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 11l behind Martyr (9-12) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Aaim To Prosper (IRE) 16-1 (7-11) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 8th of 19, 10l behind Overturn (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) gf in Jun.
Sohcahtoa (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway final furlong, never a threat, 6th of 13, 6l behind Emerging Artist (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Satwa Gold (USA) 33-1 (9-2) In rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on under pressure to take 3rd post, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Martyr (9-12) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Desert Recluse (IRE) 9-2fav (8-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway when bumped over 2f out, bumped again over 1f out, stayed on, not able to challenge, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Martyr (9-12) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
