chased leaders, weakened 3f out
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, joined for 2nd post
held up in 6th place, headway on outside 3f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong to dead heat for 2nd post
led early, tracked leader until 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in last pair, stayed on past beaten horses final furlong, never a factor
steadied start, held up in rear, never a factor
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
took keen hold in touch, headway to track leaders 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead and edged left over 1f out, pushed along and stayed on well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, between horses over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Life And Soul took advantage of some leniency from the handicapper to get back to winning ways over 1m4f here last time. The softer going today won't be a problem but the extra 2f could stretch his stamina whereas TMAAM gave every indication the longer distance would suit when second to Number Theory on his reappearance at Haydock. Mark Johnston's lightly-raced colt is a lot less exposed that his rivals and can score here. Woolfall Treasure is a previous C&D winner but struggles to get his head in front nowadays, as does Wild Desert, while Chabada's winning run came to end at Chester last month and he may be in the handicapper's grip now. Lady Rosamunde beat O Ma Lad at Newbury but is now 7lb higher than when beaten here last time and veteran Colloquial may need this. Samsons Son looks best of the rest.
Colloquial 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, chased winner over 2f out until approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Thimaar (8-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Life And Soul (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Made virtually all, strongly pressed fom 3f out, kept on gamely throughout final furlong, all out, won at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May beating Grumeti (8-11) by shd, 9 ran.
Tmaam (USA) 13-2 (9-4) Mid-division, pushed along outpaced and lost place halfway, headway over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 50 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Number Theory (9-0) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs.
Woolfall Treasure 22-1 (9-1) Pushed along from start, soon chased leader, ridden 6f out, every chance under pressure 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 6l behind Life And Soul (8-8) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Samsons Son 16-1 (9-10) Held up, ridden and headway 3f out, no impression 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 25l behind Rockfella (8-12) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in May.
Jehanbux (USA) 9-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 3f out, never reached leaders and faded final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Ramona Chase (8-12) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
Chabada (JPN) 5-1 (9-7) Led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 14l behind Star Commander (8-12) at Chester 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Lady Rosamunde 2-1fav (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong, hung right inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Figaro (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
O Ma Lad (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) In rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to press winner inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 9, shd behind Choral Festival (8-9) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Wild Desert (FR) 16-1 (9-9) Took keen hold, chased leader until 10f out, close up in 3rd, went 2nd again inside final 2f, driven to challenge on inside over 1f out, every chance until no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Astromagick (8-13) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Gold Mine 13-8fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, led 4f out, ridden and joined 2f out, driven inside final furlong, found extra near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul beating Viking Storm (9-7) by nk, 6 ran.
