Verdict

Brian Ellison has the magic touch with stayers and can get another victory out of STRIKEMASTER despite the colt being burdened with a 6lb penalty and top weight today. Kidson was no match for the selection at Beverley 10 days ago but is back for another crack this afternoon. He seems a genuine type but has his work cut out for him again. Seminal Moment tries this trip for the first time and a big effort looks assured. However, James Given¿s filly isn't really bred to be effective at two miles, so there are sufficient doubts about her suitability for the task in hand. Astroleo has a similar profile but was a taking winner at Southwell last time out. His stamina will enter the unknown inside the final quarter mile, so it's likely Nicky Mackay will be instructed to hold on to him as long as possible. However, they may all meet their match if Strikemaster runs to expectations. The three-year-old bounded away from his pursuers at Beverley and, as he created the impression a mandatory penalty wouldn't be a bother if turned out quickly, Strikemaster is readily preferred today.

Formwatch

Strikemaster (IRE) 3-1fav (8-13) Held up, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear, won at Beverley 2m 3yo mdn hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Kidson (8-10) by 8l, 12 ran.

Deuce 5-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, headway on inner over 2f out and not much room, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furong, nearest at finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Resplendent Ace (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f clm stks 0-60 (6) pol.

Count On Guest 25-1 (9-1) Prominent in chasing group, weakened 3f out, 7th of 8, 23l behind Halfway House (9-7) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.

Seminal Moment 12-1 (7-11) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs beating The Last Don (9-7) by 2l, 6 ran.

Cooper Island Kid (USA) 50-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 13, 18l behind Alicante (9-8) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd.

Astroleo 5-4fav (8-2) Prominent, outpaced over 4f out, stayed on to chase leader over 3f out, led over 1f out, edged right well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs beating Oke Bay (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.

Dark Oasis 9-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Strikemaster (8-13) at Beverley 2m 3yo mdn hcp 0-65 (6) gd.

Pattern Mark 12-1 (8-9) Behind until ridden and kept on final 2f, never nearer, 6th of 14, 9l behind Sparkaway (8-2) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.

Pure Crystal 17-2 (8-6) Close up, chased leader 10f out, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Excelsior Academy (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Jun.

Fongoli 6-1 (8-12) Led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 12, 6l behind Screaming Brave (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.

Guilin (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden 2f out, chased leaders and held when not clear run inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Perfect Shot (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.

Kidson (USA) 3-1fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, bumped over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Strikemaster (8-13) at Beverley 2m 3yo mdn hcp 0-65 (6) gd.

Googoobarabajagal (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) In touch, ridden along and weakened 3f out, 10th of 13, 14l behind Urban Space (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.

Winterbrook King 13-2 (9-2) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Kochanski (9-6) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo sll hcp 0-65 (6) gf.

Highams Park (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 12th of 13, 43l behind Dhushan (9-3) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gd in May.