Verdict

RED GULCH proved well suited to today's trip when winning a decent handicap at Goodwood last month. He had Chapter And Verse, Suited And Booted and Kajima well behind and there should be more to come over this distance. Layline keeps on improving and is only 3lb higher for his recent win at Lingfield, while Benandonner's best form gives him every chance and he went close at Newmarket on his latest start. The latter is closely matched on last year's form with Autumn Blades and Alan Bailey's charge will have come on for his first outing of the year at Ascot last Saturday, but Night Lily has to race off a much higher mark back on the Polytrack and that could prove beyond her.

Formwatch

Autumn Blades (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Dwealt, towards rear, never dangerous, last of 10, 13l behind Sarrsar (9-4) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs.

Red Gulch 16-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, not much room 2f out, switched left over 1f out, soon led, ran on, edged right close home, won at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul beating Guest Book (9-6) by 1 3/4l, 19 ran.

Night Lily (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Held up, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Conciliatory (9-7) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.

Kajima 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, lost place over 3f out, weakened entering final furlong, 18th of 19, 19l behind Red Gulch (9-8) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.

Chapter And Verse (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, ridden on outside 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 8th of 19, 5l behind Red Gulch (9-8) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.

Layline (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in last trio, good headway on outside travelling well to track leading pair 2f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Lingfield 1m stks 0-90 (3) pol in Jul beating Uphold (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.

Freeforaday (USA) 50-1 (8-12) Mid-division in stands' side group, ridden and struggling over 2f out, never near leaders, 9th of 25, 8l behind Manassas (9-0) at Royal Ascot 7f hcp 105 (2) sft in Jun.

Benandonner (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Namecheck (9-7) at Newmarket 1m hcp 105 (2) gs in Jul.

Gouray Girl (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Held up, not clear run and switched left 2f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Kingscroft (8-7) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.

Primaeval 11-1 (8-5) Raced center in touch, switched right over 2f out, staying on when short of room inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 5l behind Captain Ramius (9-0) at Newmarket 7f hcp 105 (2) gd.

Audemar (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 16, 9l behind Albaqaa (9-8) at Goodwood 1m 1f app hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.

Suited And Booted (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, 16th of 19, 11l behind Red Gulch (9-8) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.

Councellor (FR) 9-2 (8-8) Chased leaders on outside, riddeen over 2f out, beaten when hung left over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 15l behind Everybody Knows (9-0) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr '10.

Amwell Pinot 20-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 12l behind Fityaan (8-10) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.