tracked leader, driven to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held towards finish
held up, headway on outside over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, switched right 2f out, every chance 1f out, one pace final 75 yards
in rear, soon outpaced, ran on final 75 yards, never on terms
soon led, driven and headed 1f out, no extra towards finish
prominent, outpaced over 2f out, no impression after
led early, took keen hold, held up, kept on inside final furlong, unable to challenge
This looks wide-open and features course and distance winners Highland Acclaim and Ashpan Sam. Others are less exposed, however, including Poetic Force, though his latest win came over a mile. Handytalk was among the first beaten when favourite at Bath but Little Boy Blue met trouble in-running at the same track after winning easily at Brighton. Harrogate is best over 5f so this can to COUNT OTTO, who has run better than his form figures would suggest this year and has slipped to a fair mark.
Little Boy Blue 11-4fav (10-0) Prominent, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Beyond Equal (9-10) at Bath 6f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Count Otto (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Open Wide (9-11) at Windsor 6f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Ashpan Sam 40-1 (8-4) Towards rear, driven and outpaced over 2f out, stumbled over 1f out, never involved, last of 14, 13 1/4l behind Watchable (8-11) at Epsom 6f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Poetic Force (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Steadied start, held up last, going well looking for room over 2f out, squeezed through over 1f out, soon 2nd, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Bath 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun beating Salt Whistle Bay (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Harrogate (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Harry's Bar (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Handytalk (IRE) 13-8fav (10-5) Raced freely, prominent, hampered after 1f, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace closing stages, 5th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Miracle Garden (9-2) at Bath 6f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Highland Acclaim (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 11th of 14, 11 1/4l behind Quick Look (9-5) at Chester 6f hcp (4) sft in Jun.