tracked leading pair, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on, comfortably
off the pace in 5th, closed over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, edged left, no impression
off the pace in 4th, closed over 3f out, outpaced by leaders over 1f out
with leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, headway on inside 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
ANOTHER MAGIC MAN can take advantage of the disparity in weights with Mejd likely to put in a big challenge and if Red Gulch can translate the pick of his all-weather form to turf then he is another with claims. Our preference is for the Jim Best trained colt who was an impressive winner last time out at this course and there was much to admire about his victory after he found that bit more within the final furlong to grab the win. This encouraging performance combined with the obvious advantage he has in the weights compared to Mejd means we side with him today. Mejd stayed on well to claim the win at Beverley on his last start and if he puts in a similar run here then he has strong claims despite running off top weight. Red Gulch has shown winning ability on the all-weather at Wolverhampton but has since struggled to continue that form on the turf. He weakened within the final furlong on his last effort at Leicester over this sort of trip and this deters us on this occasion. We prefer the attentions of course and distance winner Another Magic Man.
Mejd (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, led after 1f, made rest, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Tribal Myth (8-5) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Red Gulch 3-1fav (9-6) Keen tracked leaders, effort 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 10l behind Maid In Heaven (9-3) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Perfect Ch'i (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Led, ridden over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Cloud's End (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Another Magic Man (USA) 13-2 (9-0) Led over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out, kept on gamely inside final furlong, won at Chester 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun beating Rasselas (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Nubar Boy 10-1 (8-6) In rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Lowdown (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Caracal 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leader until ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 8l behind Gritstone (9-6) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Koo And The Gang (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and stayed on from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Whispered Times (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
