patiently ridden on far side, held up, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
raced in centre for 2f, never better than mid-division
prominent on stands side, led narrowly 2f out, soon ridden, caught final strides
chased leaders on stands side until weakened 1f out
prominent on stands side until weakened 2f out
prominent on stands side, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, behind on stands side, switched left and ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, never troubled leaders
slowly into stride, behind on stands side, ran on final furlong, never dangerous
mid-division on stands side, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
soon pushed along in mid-division stands side, headway over 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra
chased leaders on far side for over 2f
always mid-division on stands side
towards rear in centre, ridden and steady progress from 2f out, ran on under strong pressure inside final furlong, nearest finish
slowly into stride, towards rear on far side, headway 3f out, challenged 2f out, beaten final furlong
always behind on far side
not clear run 1f out, mainly towards rear on far side
mid-division in centre, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders on far side until weakened entering final furlong
held up in centre group, headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on strongly under pressure inside final furlong, led final stride
always behind on far side
chased leaders on far side, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra near finish
slowly into stride, behind in centre, not clear run 3f out, stayed on final furlong
ridden and hung right from 2f out, mainly towards rear on far side
held up in centre, ridden and some headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders
chased leaders on stands side, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
always struggling in rear on far side
led stands side until 2f out, kept on final furlong
The draw usually plays its part in this cavalry charge and with high numbers generally favoured the principals look to be Machinist, Viking Spirit, Balthazaar's Gift and Knot In Wood and the latter is taken to score. Richard Fahey's gelding carries a 3lb penalty for an easy Hamilton win last time out and that does not look like stopping him here. Any ground with good in the description suits, he will emerge from stall number 25 of the 28 available and this trip is ideal, so there is plenty in his favour. Balthazaar's Gift shoulders top weight after easily scoring in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes last week. He also carries just a 3lb penalty but he will get the strong pace and cover that he enjoys here and with a trouble-free run he won't be far away. Viking Spirit won for the first time since his juvenile days when last seen out at Chepstow and will have his supporters, so is respected with just 3lb more to carry, while Machinist steps back up in class after back-to-back wins but has struggled at this level before and despite the draw is opposed. The Tatling is a standing dish in this contest but has won only once over 6f and may be one for each way punters, while of those drawn less favourably Borderlescott deserves a second look if the rains fall, That's Hot would prefer it to get quicker but relishes the trip and can give a good account, while Zidane was favourite during the week but had no representative at the draw and so was set aside and had to settle for stall 11, the only box remaining. He has a fair bit going for him, but Knot In Wood was impressive last time and with a number of big ticks he gets the nod.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Held up in rear, not clear run inside final 2f, switched right and ran on to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Jul beating Al Qasi (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Advanced 10-11fav (9-0) Prominent, driven 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Tax Free (9-10) at Thirsk 6f stk (3) frm in Apr.
Borderlescott 50-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Sakhee's Secret (8-13) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Beckermet (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Chased far side leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 19th of 26, 15l behind Dark Missile (8-6) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gd in Jun.
King Orchisios (IRE) 50-1 (9-10) Chased far side leaders, ridden and still close up 2f out, heavily eased inside final furlong, 11th of 24, 6l behind Stoneacre Lad (8-7) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-110 (2) gs in Jul.
Something (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Always prominent, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 18, 1/2l behind Giganticus (8-8) at Newmarket 7f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Intrepid Jack 6-1jt-fav (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, hung right under pressure over 1f out, soon beaten, 17th of 18, 8l behind Giganticus (8-8) at Newmarket 7f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Grantley Adams 10-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge, 9th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Giganticus (8-8) at Newmarket 7f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Protector (SAF) 4-1jt-fav (9-11) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, every chance final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Knot In Wood (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcap (2) gs in Jul.
Fayr Jag (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 9l behind Balthazaar's Gift (9-3) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Jul.
Bond City (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Prominent, far side, ridden over 3f out, not quicken, 8th of 17, 5l behind Moorhouse Lad (9-0) at Goodwood 5f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Bentong (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 14th of 18, 5l behind Giganticus (8-8) at Newmarket 7f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
That's Hot (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, 4th and ridden early straight, led well inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Liscanna (8-12) at Leopardstown 6f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun.
Mutamared (USA) 25-1 (9-2) Raced centre and always in rear, 20th of 26, 17l behind Dark Missile (8-6) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gd in Jun.
Baron's Pit 4-1 (8-9) Went right start, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Celtic Mill (9-0) at Newmarket 5f stk (3) gd in Jul.
The Tatling (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up stands side, some late headway but never reached leaders, 7th of 17, 5l behind Moorhouse Lad (9-0) at Goodwood 5f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Kostar 16-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 7l behind Assertive (9-0) at Windsor 6f lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Ripples Maid 16-1 (8-12) Prominent centre over 3f, 25th of 26, 27l behind Dark Missile (8-6) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gd in Jun.
Zidane 4-1fav (9-1) Switched right start, held up in rear of centre group, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 7th of 26, 3 1/2l behind Dark Missile (8-6) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gd in Jun.
Qadar (IRE) (9-4) Never dangerous, 6th of 8, 8l behind Maxim's (9-4) at Jagersro 6f lst stk (1) std in May.
Knot In Wood (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, shaken up inside final furlong, ridden clear, won at Hamilton 6f hcap (2) gs in Jul beating Protector (9-11) by 3l, 12 ran.
Machinist (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Mid-division, progress 2f out, 4th 1 1/2f out, led under 1f out, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Curragh 6f prm hcp sft in Jul beating Nastrelli (8-10) by 4l, 20 ran.
Viking Spirit 4-1 (9-11) Held up, headway 2f out, hung right well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Chepstow 6f hcap (2) sft in Jul beating Tony James (9-13) by 3l, 7 ran.
Fantasy Believer 11-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear on stand side, hard ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 24, 3 1/2l behind Stoneacre Lad (8-7) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-110 (2) gs in Jul.
Mastership (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Raced far side, behind, headway over 1f out, soon not much room, ran on to lead far side group final furlong, no chance with stands side group, 7th of 19, 6l behind Shmookh (8-7) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
Out After Dark 3-1fav (9-3) Behind, ridden 2f out, moderate late headway, 7th of 11, 7l behind Border Music (8-7) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Beaver Patrol (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Chased leaders far side, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Aahayson (9-8) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jun.
Excusez Moi (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 15l behind Confuchias (9-0) at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
