prominent, weakened 4f out
took keen hold, held up, headway and hung right from over 8f out, led 7f out, headed well over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in touch, carried wide bend over 8f out and lost place, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
started slowly, behind, headway on inside over 2f out, went 3rd not pace of leading pair well over 1f out, edged right and stayed on same pace inside final furlong
raced keenly, held up, headway 7f out, struggling 3f out, no danger after
led, headed 7f out, chased leader until led again well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no chance with winner
raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, led entering final furlong, soon in command, readily
My Aunt Fanny was a real eyecatcher last time and Andrew Balding's filly can open her account here at the main expense of Hernando Cortes and Akarshan. The selection was only beaten a head by Casilda at Salisbury last time out when she was nailed in the shadows of the post. She is clearly on good terms with herself and from her positive low draw she looks the standard bearer. Akarshan is a rare runner on the flat for Evan Williams and he shaped with plenty of promise on his debut at Chepstow. He tackles fast ground and this longer trip for the first time so he does have questions to answer, but he is unexposed and he has to be respected. Hernando Cortes returns to the level after a couple of disappointing efforts over hurdles, but this colt does have some respectable Irish flat form and he is certainly worth considering. Mark Johnston's Maha Dubai has the plum draw and could prove best of the others, but My Aunt Fanny looks to be on an upward curve and she is nominated to land the prize.
Hernando Cortes 6-1 (9-5) Close 2nd, 3rd under pressure 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 20, 6l behind Mourilyan (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f 2yo mdn gs in Oct.
Wee Ellie Coburn 200-1 (9-5) With leaders, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 16, 18l behind Muhajaar (9-2) at Haydock 6f mdn stk (5) gf.
Akarshan (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Slowly away, headway over 3f out, ridden and edged left from over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Blue Spartan (9-1) at Chepstow 1m mdn stk (5) sft in May.
Elbistan (IRE) Peintre Celebre gelding out of 7f winner Elasouna.
Lisbon Lion (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 16l behind Moonquake (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gs.
Maha Dubai (USA) 7-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Crystal Capella (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn fll (5) gf in May.
My Aunt Fanny 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led 3f out, pressed inside final furlong, no extra and headed final strides, 2nd of 13, hd behind Casilda (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gf.
Canyon Colours (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never nearer, 5th of 8, 14l behind Voice Coach (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Madame Rio (IRE) 50-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Jal Music (8-13) at Southwell 6f 3yo clm (6) gd in May.
