tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, headway 3f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
held up mid-division, headway 2f out, led entering final furlong, ridden and kept on final furlong
behind, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead briefly 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, lost place 5f out, soon behind, tailed off
Calculating escapes a penalty for his win at Epsom last month and has to be considered but Mark Usher's gelding has yet to prove that he stays this far on turf and preference is for SOLAS ALAINN, who gets the verdict ahead of Ameeq. The seven-year-old was well beaten when last seen on the level but ran well when chasing home Cootehill in Market Rasen's valuable Summer Hurdle last month and he has every chance if able to reproduce a similar level of form back on the flat. Brian Ellison's John Forbes ran better in a claimer at York last time and has to be considered back in a handicap today on ground that suits. Alan Swinbank's Puy d'Arnac has struggled since winning at Ayr in November but has slipped to fair mark so he cannot be discounted and makes more appeal than Chris Bealby's Leyte Gulf, who has been well held in recent starts. The vote though goes to Mark Johnston's Solas Alainn, who has yet to open his account but he has shown improved form of late and should appreciate the longer trip today.
Ameeq (USA) 20-1 (10-0) Held up, always towards rear, 8th of 11, 16l behind The Last Alzao (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
John Forbes 66-1 (8-11) Led early, chased leader, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Demolition (9-8) at York 1m 4f clm stks (4) gd in Jul.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 3-1 (8-8) Pulled hard, held up, took closer order 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 5, 21l behind Dolly Penrose (9-7) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul.
Solas Alainn (IRE) 11-2 (8-5) Tracked winner, driven over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Jadalee (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Tora Petcha (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Raced wide mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out, 10th of 12, 45l behind La Estrella (9-7) at Southwell 1m 3f clm stks (6) fbs in Dec.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 33-1 (8-8) In rear, rapid headway on outside to lead 9f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 12l behind Baan (9-2) at Yarmouth 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Great Quest (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, well behind final 3f, 7th of 11, 15l behind Hurricane Thomas (10-0) at Musselburgh 1m 5f am hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Calculating (IRE) 9-2 (8-3) Held up mid-division, came stands side over 3f out, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Epsom Downs 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul beating Princess Flame (9-5) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lilymay 50-1 (8-4) Ran in snatches, always last, driven along over 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Going For Gold (9-1) at Haydock 1m 4f flls hcp 0-75 (5) fm in Jul.
