steadied start, held up and always in rear, pushed along and struggling well over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leader until over 2f out, remained handy, rallied on inside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well
slowly into stride and switched left after start, headway over 3f out, pushed along well over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, headway to chase leaders halfway, went 3rd over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in last pair, headway towards inside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
in touch, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, not much room and squeezed through inside final furlong, stayed on to 2nd towards finish, unable to reach winner
always in rear, never a factor
Jacqueline Coward is an experienced rider and partners Tapis Libre, who dead-heated for first place in a similar contest at Haydock in May when Tenhoo was back in third. But trainer Mick Easterby sets a poser as he also saddles CITY GROUND, who won off a higher mark on the Polytrack exactly a month ago. Serena Brotherton's presence in the saddle suggests he's fancied to translate that form to Turf. Merchant Of Medici is starting to come down the weights and is entitled to run well while El Bravo made all at Doncaster on Saturday but has a penalty to contend with in this.
Archie Rice (USA) 6-1 (8-11) Led 2f, tracked leader, ridden to lead again 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 8l behind Emma's Gift (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb '12.
Tenhoo 11-4fav (9-11) Held up, headway 3f out, every chance 2f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, pushed along and ran on, won at Haydock 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun beating Zenafire (8-13) by hd, 9 ran.
Tapis Libre 12-1 (9-13) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, went 3rd over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, joined on line, won at Haydock 1m 4f ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May deadheating with Teide Peak (9-13), 10 ran.
Merchant Of Medici 14-1 (8-11) Towards rear, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 19, 7l behind Christmas Light (9-2) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Beauchamp Xerxes 10-1 (9-0) Made virtually all, clear 3f out, still well clear when hung left over 1f out, weakening towards finish, unchallenged, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun beating Opus Maximus (8-5) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Jordaura 9-1 (9-7) In rear, headway 2f out, never nearer, 5th of 9, 11l behind Tenhoo (9-11) at Haydock 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
City Ground (USA) 9-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader, every chance over 1f out, stayed on to lead closing stages, won at Lingfield 1m 2f am hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun beating Automotive (10-7) by nk, 13 ran.
Flag Of Glory 20-1 (10-2) Chased leader, led over 4f out until ridden 2f out, weakened just over 1f out, 11th of 14, 11l behind Balmoral Castle (10-3) at Newbury 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf in Jun.
Rub of The Relic (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Raced wide early, led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, kept on and every chance until no extra towards finish, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Pertuis (10-7) at Ripon 1m 4f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
El Bravo 11-2 (8-1) Made all, set steady pace, quickened pace entering final 3f, held on gamely, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun beating Gran Maestro (9-2) by nk, 8 ran.
Winged Farasi 14-1 (9-5) Always behind, 9th of 14, 14l behind Daytime Dreamer (10-1) at Carlisle 1m 3f ladies hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug '11.
