Plenty of dead wood in this and PTOLOMEOS could take advantage. He's back on soft ground for the first time since winning at Nottingham in May and, if anything, he looks to have an easier task with an apprentice's 7lb claim taken into account. The Ducking Stool scored on fast ground at Yarmouth before a seven-length defeat in an amateurs' race at Warwick last time while Deep Applause and Merrjanah remain out of form. Kyllachykov handles soft going but is unproven over the trip and Sweet Vera fails on both counts.
Ptolomeos 17-2 (8-13) Dwelt, towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 11, 11l behind Ela Gonda Mou (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
The Ducking Stool 3-1fav (10-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd about 6f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression and eased inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Passato (10-2) at Warwick 1m 5f am hcp 0-60 (6) sft.
Red Mercury (IRE) 2-1 (9-10) Prominent, not much room over 8f out, pushed along over 7f out, ridden over 3f out, went 2nd briefly over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Ollon (9-7) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) sft in Apr.
Deep Applause 9-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, in rear, clipped heels and stumbled entering final 3f, switched right then left, ridden and stayed on insided final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 10, 7l behind King Of Paradise (8-9) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Mainland (USA) 80-1 (9-7) Towards rear, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 14, well behind Illustration (8-11) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Think 8-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 35l behind Ptolomeos (8-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in May.
Kyllachykov (IRE) 11-10fav (8-9) In rear, pushed along 4f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, stayed on, not reach leaders, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Handsome King (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m mdn hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Tinseltown 16-1 (8-3) Outpaced in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on well, 5th of 13, 11l behind French Art (9-7) at Newcastle 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Apr '11.
Escape Artist 25-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 9l behind Harare (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 4f app hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Norton Girl 25-1 (8-11) Keen tracked leader, led 8f out, headed 3f out, weakening when bumped 2f out, soon eased, last of 7, well behind Elizabeth Coffee (9-7) at Redcar 1m 2f Claiming Stakes (0-75) (3yo+) (6) sft.
Jan Smuts (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden over 3f out, no impression from over 1f out, 8th of 9, 11l behind Stansonnit (9-7) at Ripon 1m 4f sll hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Merrjanah 25-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out until over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Sula Two (10-10) at Newbury 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gs.
Sweet Vera 33-1 (8-3) Held up, hard ridden, edged left and headway from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Cheeky Wee Red (8-12) at Ayr 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) gf.
Spin A Wish 66-1 (8-4) Chased leaders to halfway, 11th of 14, 28l behind McConnell (9-6) at Southwell 1m sell stks (6) fbs in Nov.
Zoom In 50-1 (9-9) Towards rear, soon pushed along, switched right over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 15l behind Hab Reeh (10-0) at Redcar 6f Amateur Maiden Handicap (0-65) (4yo+) (6) gf.
