held up in rear, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
held up in touch, headway to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly
tracked leaders, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong
tracked leaders, effort 2f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, kept on towards finish
refused to race
mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression
close up, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
raced alone stands side
led, headed over 2f out, weakened
mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway and effort approaching final furlong, kept on
in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final 2f
towards rear, never dangerous
Recent winner Ellens Academy may be high on people's list however two quick races may take the edge off the 12-year-old and so we will give the vote to John Keats ahead of Rondo. The selection comes here on the back of a decent second at Haydock and assuming that the ground doesn't deteriorate further, he can make his presence felt. Jim Goldie has his horses running very well at present and he has a good chance of another winner here. Rondo is in decent form and should run his race, along with Orutund who shapes as if there is still more to come and won't mind any further rain. Dunn Deal and Fairgame Man bring course and distance wins to the table but they are both out of form, whilst Lambency, a stablemate of the selection, is still a maiden after 17 starts but has gone agonisingly close in the past. All in all this looks competitive, and whilst Polish Emperor may go well at a price, we will tentatively return to John Keats to score.
Ellens Academy (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Behind, headway when not clear run 2f out, squeezed through on inside to lead 1f out, soon clear, won at Haydock 6f clm (5) gf beating Rydal (9-11) by 5l, 11 ran.
Rigat 20-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 6l behind Pay Time (8-10) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
John Keats 13-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, ran on to lead inside final furlong, headed, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Katie Boo (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Champagne Cracker 16-1 (9-3) Led far side, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 6l behind Compton Classic (9-4) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Cabourg (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Borodinsky (8-10) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-65 (6) frm.
Monda 7-1 (8-11) Mid-division, one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind dhtrs Gap Princess (8-12) & Riquewihr (9-8) at Thirsk 6f fll hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Rondo 3-1fav (8-10) Slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on well final furlong, 4th of 11, 1l behind The Salwick Flyer (8-9) at Hamilton 6f app hcp (6) gs.
Lambency (IRE) 15-2 (8-4) Towards rear, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Katie Boo (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Orotund 6-1 (10-1) Chased leaders stand side, ridden along halfway, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 19, 3l behind Greek Secret (10-9) at Thirsk 6f ldy rds hcp (6) gf.
Polish Emperor (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division, never nearer, 9th of 14, 7l behind Mister Jingles (9-7) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Knead The Dough 20-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 17, 6l behind Gleaming Spirit (9-11) at Yarmouth 6f mdn hcp (6) gf.
The Thrifty Bear 66-1 (8-9) Led far side group, ridden over 1f out, headed and one pace final furlong, 7th of 18, 2l behind Zap Attack (8-1) at Thirsk 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Toberogan (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride and behind, headway on stand's rail under 2f out, 3rd and challenged well inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 20, 1l behind Musical Review (9-4) at Naas 6f hcp 0-60 sft.
Dunn Deal (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Towards rear and soon pushed along, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind She's Our Beauty (8-4) at Catterick 5f clm (6) gs in Jul.
Fairgame Man 50-1 (8-0) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 11l behind Divine Spirit (8-10) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
