Verdict

There's rarely a meeting goes by here without an appearance from Bateleur but he's an infrequent winner nowadays. Equuleus Pictor is usually a force at this level, however, although he needs to put a poor run at Yarmouth behind him while Wooden King likes it here though is only one of seven previous C&D winners which include SERMONS MOUNT. A winner at Goodwood earlier this month, he only went down by a short-head at Folkestone last time and looks in good nick at present. Piddie's Power is knocking on the door again but Steelcut probably needs to drop a few pounds in the weights before rediscovering the winning habit.

Formwatch

Equuleus Pictor 2-1fav (9-10) Switched left to race in center soon after start, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 5, 7l behind Midnight Rider (9-5) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.

Wooden King (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Dwelt in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken, 4th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Barons Spy (9-6) at Bath 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.

Superior Edge 16-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, last of 8, 31l behind Polar Annie (9-11) at Chepstow 1m flls hcp 0-75 (5) gs.

Piddie's Power 4-1fav (9-10) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd halfway, led 2f out, ridden and narrowly headed 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Aristeia (9-5) at Salisbury 6f fll hcp (5) gf.

Steelcut 14-1 (8-5) Dwelt, in rear and keen, no impression from over 1f out, last of 6, 4l behind Star Rover (9-3) at Ffos Las 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.

Sermons Mount (USA) 9-4 (9-5) Soon led, headed over 2f out, ridden to lead again 1f out, caught post, 2nd of 5, shd behind Efistorm (9-8) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.

Johnstown Lad (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Mid-division, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out, 8th of 14, 7l behind Ucanchoose (8-13) at Tipperary 5f hcp 47-75 in Jul.

Emiratesdotcom 11-2 (8-7) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 2l behind Barons Spy (9-6) at Bath 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.

Make My Dream 25-1 (9-6) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure, never on terms, 5th of 12, 5l behind Paradise Spectre (9-0) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.

Brandywell Boy (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Soon pushed along in mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 10l behind Francis Albert (8-6) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.

The Name Is Frank 13-2 (9-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced halfway, plugged on inside final furlong, never a threat, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Minety Lass (9-1) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.

Bateleur 3-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, outpaced in 5th, headway 2f out, chased winner and edged left over 1f out, no extra final 120 yards, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Bobby's Doll (9-7) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.

Interchoice Star 16-1 (9-6) Led at fast pace and soon clear, reduced lead and hung left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 4l behind Highland Harvest (9-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.