led, ridden over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
slowly into stride, soon in touch, headway on inside 2f out, stayed on to dispute 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace
took keen hold, chased leader, ridden and lost 2nd approaching final 2f, weakened approaching final furlong
chased leading pair, went 2nd on inside appraching final 2f, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well
held up in touch, effort halfway, weakened 3f out
took ekeen hold, chased leading trio, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
steadied start, held up last, headway on wide outside over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd towards finish, unable to reach winner
Simon Walker is arguably the most accomplished amateur riding in this opener but his mount, Emperor Of Rome, finished tailed off on his latest start at Haydock. Amazing Blue Sky has been placed twice over C&D this year but is 6lb higher than when third here last month, while Resplendent Light's victory in an apprentices' race at Chepstow two runs ago came against much weaker opposition. DESERT HUNTER is still 4lb higher than when successful over a mile here more than a year ago but the eight-year-old has been knocking on the door again recently and is taken to get back to winning ways today.
Amazing Blue Sky 12-1 (9-9) Led to over 6f out, in touch until lost place over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 14th of 16, 18l behind Lady Chaparral (9-10) at Carlisle 1m 3f ladies hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Resplendent Light 11-2 (9-3) Held up, went 5th halfway, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 17l behind Shernando (9-10) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Emperor Of Rome (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Led, ridden 4f out, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 5, 32l behind Colour Vision (9-13) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
James Pollard (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Korngold (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Jul.
Herrera (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 16, 7l behind Kian's Delight (8-3) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Desert Hunter (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Keen tracked leaders, chased leader over 3f out until ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 4l behind Escape Artist (9-0) at Redcar 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.
Artisan 6-1 (8-13) Took keen hold in rear, never on terms, 7th of 8, 6l behind Come On Safari (8-8) at Lingfield 1m clm stks (6) pol in Jul.
Reason To Believe (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Mid-division, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Border Abby (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul.
