led, headed 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance of winner
took keen hold, pressed leader, led 4f out until 2f out, soon racing awakwardly and not much room, weakened over 1f out
tracked leading pair, led over 1f out, soon edged left and clear, ran on well
in rear, pushed along over 4f out, effort 2f out, never going pace to troubled leaders
in touch, effort 2f out, soon edged right, one pace final furlong
soon ridden, always in rear, lost touch over 3f out, tailed off
Yamal is our selection in the opener with Candle Sahara and La Chicaluna respected. Mark Johnston's charge will need to be alert from this low draw but he won well at Thirsk last month over this trip and the form of that event looks to have worked out well with Esoterica going on to frank the form last week at Ayr. Candle Sahara is on for a hat-trick bid tonight. If the rain comes, that could be a worry for the Mick Channon charge as she hasn't shown much aptitude for it previously. La Chicaluna has won here previously. The step up in trip is the real questionmark. King Hafhafah was tried at listed levels last year but was no threat at Newmarket on his latest start. Danzig Fox and Scanno look up against it on all known formbook evidence. A surprisingly small field given the prize money and Yamal is our pick.
La Chicaluna 7-1 (8-12) Led until ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 10l behind Wise Melody (8-11) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Jun.
King Hafhafah 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 10l behind City of The Kings (9-8) at Newmarket 1m 3yo clm (4) gf in Jun.
Yamal (IRE) 2-1fav (9-12) Dwelt, mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Borasco (9-1) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Candle Sahara (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Chased leaders on rail, pushed along 3f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) frm in Jun beating Polar Annie (9-4) by a hd, 7 ran.
Danzig Fox 33-1 (8-4) In rear, niggled along over 4f out, headway 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 10, 8l behind Adversity (9-3) at Chester 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Scanno (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Led to halfway, soon lost place, 11th of 16, 11l behind Turn And River (8-8) at Carlisle 6f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Jun.