mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, drifted left under pressure inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and effort, 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up behind, ridden over 1f out, never near leaders
mid-division on outside, headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, not reached leaders
tracked leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon no impression
held up, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance when not much room inside final furlong, switched right and kept on towards finish
Meditation can land his sixth win of the season at the expense of Breaking Shadow and Stoic Leader. The selection is making hay while the sun shines and although he has risen in the ratings as a consequence of his wins he seems to be able to stay one step of the handicapper each time. Connections feel that a six pound penalty for his latest Salisbury win is better than being reassessed so he has to be given yet another chance of success. Breaking Shadow will pose as the biggest danger as this is a drop in grade but he has not looked like winning this season as yet so is possibly best watched. Stioc Leader did win on the all weather back in January but has found life difficult this season so far. If able to recapture his old flame then he would hold every chance but for the winner we return to Meditation.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Prominent, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Hartshead (9-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Breaking Shadow (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 4l behind Hartshead (9-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Passion Fruit 6-1 (9-10) Towards rear, better when forced wide over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Corrib (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Bessemer (JPN) 11-1 (9-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, kept on, not quite pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Envision (9-1) at Epsom 7f clm (5) gf in Jul.
Stellite 4-1fav (9-4) Towards rear, headway approaching 1f out, one pace, 6th of 12, 3l behind Bijou Dan (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul.
H Harrison (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Led for a furlong, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 5l behind Hartshead (10-0) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-90 (3) frm in Jul.
True Night 14-1 (9-9) In rear and outpaced, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 8, 6l behind Blue Maeve (8-9) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Meditation 7-2 (9-7) Made virtually all, joined and ridden over 2f out, ran on gamely final furlong, won at Salisbury 7f fll hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Gaelic Princess (9-7) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
