Verdict
Alan King's SAM LORD sets a decent standard here, and gets our vote ahead of Solas Alainn and Saloon. He's giving weight away all round, but is capable of defying that. A comfortable winner at Salisbury last time out, he's been hurdling too as recently as April, but he's had more success on the flat. If you really like him, you can buy him as he's up for sale, and if not bought beforehand will go to next month's Doncaster sales. The trainer describes him as a "fun horse". Any rain will aid his cause. Saloon hasn't been out of the first three in six runs since moving to Jane Chapple-Hyam's yard; he's not always the most straightforward of rides and if there's any trouble to be found in running he tends to do so. A front running display here though could see him miss any of the problems. Mark Johnston's Solas Alainn remains a maiden after ten runs but has shown some promise recently. However big improvement would be needed to get the better of Sam Lord.
Formwatch
Sam Lord 11-4 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway from over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun beating Colonel Flay (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Clear Reef 33-1 (9-7) Keen, in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 17l behind Cool Strike (8-6) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Aegean Prince 12-1 (10-0) Slowly away and always in rear, 10th of 11, 15l behind Action Impact (9-8) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Saloon (USA) 5-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Hawk Mountain (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Jadalee (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Slowly away, held up, pushed along and outpaced 4f out, driven and kept on final 2f, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 10, 8l behind Scamperdale (9-5) at Kempton 1m 3f (4) pol.
Look To This Day 7-1 (8-12) Chased leader, good headway to lead over 3f out, soon ridden, hung left and headed over 1f out, one pace after, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Sam Lord (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Solas Alainn (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Pressed leader, led 4f out, carried head awkwardly and headed over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Spiekeroog (8-11) at Catterick 1m 6f mdn auc stks (5) gd.
