tracked leaders and keen, ridden and one pace when hampered over 2f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, no impression
in touch, ridden over 4f out, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened
soon tracking winner, hung left over 2f out, one pace
with winner, lost place after 4f
held up, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, weakening when not much room over 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, no impression from over 2f out
held up towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 3f out
made all, raced keen, ridden clear over 1f out
Nonrunner
Godolphin have a strong hand here with Envisage and Night Hour, however Black Rock is dropped to a more suitable distance and he gets the vote ahead of Crete. The selection was outclassed and outstayed in the Chester Cup but this is more his level and he handles ground with some juice in. His trainer has plenty of success here and he can make light work of his top-weight. Envisage won well last time at Pontefract and whilst this requires more, he is lightly-raced and evidently progressive. Muhannak dotted up at Chester but has a hike in the weights for that, so of more interest may be Crete. His win at Sandown looks solid and he could not have been more impressive; soft ground holds no fears for this son of Montjeu. Toldo ran well last time considering his time off and will only have improved, whilst Ella, Acropolis and Birkside all have solid claims on recent runs. An open contest, where Chocolate Caramel would be an apt winner, however it is Black Rock who can land the spoils.
Black Rock (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Led, jinked twice on bend 6f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 12th of 17, 42l behind Bulwark (9-4) at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gd in May.
Mull of Dubai 7-1 (9-3) Always behind, never a factor, 14th of 15, 18l behind Bureaucrat (8-13) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Envisage (IRE) 7-2 (9-10) Held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun beating Kaateb (9-11) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Night Hour (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Tracked leader until one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Birkside (8-8) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Muhannak (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Made all, ridden clear well over 1f out, ran on well, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Drawn Gold (8-8) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Crete (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway approaching 2f out, led over 1f out, shaken up and quickened clear final furlong, pushed out, easily, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun beating Trans Siberian (9-9) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Maslak (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) In touch, headway over 5f out, no extra from over 1f out, 8th of 15, 14l behind Step This Way (8-10) at York 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Birkside 11-4 (9-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Sir Duke (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Toldo (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 11l behind Four Miracles (8-11) at York 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Bergonzi (IRE) 28-1 (8-7) Towards rear, headway on inner 3f out, never troubled leaders, 9th of 15, 11l behind Luberon (8-7) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Mesbaah (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, driven to challenge and every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Bustan (9-1) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Ella 11-4 (9-4) Made all and raced keen, ridden and challenged well over 1f out, stayed on, driven out, won at Pontefract 1m 2f fll hcp (3) hvy in Apr beating Born Tobouggie (8-13) by 5l, 5 ran.
Strategic Mount 33-1 (9-1) Raced keenly towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 19, 12l behind Sugar Ray (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Acropolis (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Birkside (8-8) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Players Please (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 15th of 19, 15l behind Sugar Ray (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Luna Landing 16-1 (8-11) Led 2f, tracked leader afterwards, ridden over 5f out, quickly lost place over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, 48l behind La Estrella (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Chocolate Caramel (USA) 9-2 (9-2) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 8l behind Rajeh (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
