led until headed just inside final 2f, weakened approaching final furlong
towards rear, headway going well over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, unable to quicken final furlong
tracked leader, took slight lead just inside final 2f, headed 1f out, ran on final furlong, always held
towards rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and no headway final 2f
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, effort on inside from over 2f out, no real impression inside final furlong
restless stalls, always rear
held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven to go 3rd 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
close 4th, pushed along over 4f out, steadily weakened
restless stalls, slowly into stride, held up in rear, short lived effort on outside over 2f out, no further progress
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1f out, ran on
close up in 4th, weakened over 3f out
always rear
pulled hard, restrained into mid-division, ridden on outside over 2f out, soon beaten
keen hold in mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden and hung right, no impression final furlong
Swords is back below his last winning mark and can take this now that the handicapper has relented, with Stolen Hours, Thorny Mandate and Mighty Kitchener looking the biggest dangers. The selection was a c&d winner off a mark of 57 last September and races from a 2lb lower mark this time. His form has not been red hot, but neither has it been too bad and now he has an opportunity he can take it. Stolen Hours was a three length course and distance winner last month but the handicapper has subsequently taken his measure and he might struggle again here. Thorny Mandate took a Wolverhampton handicap last time and a 4lb rise looks fair enough, so he can still be competitive. Of the others, Mighty Kitchener has been running well in defeat at Wolverhampton, but has gone up in the weights as a result and may have to settle for a place again, and preference is for Swords here.
Stolen Hours (USA) 8-1 (8-4) Chased leader, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Mustajed (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Amwell Brave 150-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 14l behind Classic Punch (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stk (1) sft in Jun.
Daring Racer (GER) 33-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, no impression over 2f out, 7th of 9, 18l behind Duelling Banjos (8-8) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Follow On 11-2 (9-5) Always behind, no impression, 8th of 13, 15l behind Commemoration Day (9-3) at Goodwood 2m hcap (5) gd in Jun.
Thorny Mandate 11-4 (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun beating Mighty Kitchener (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mighty Kitchener (USA) 5-2fav (9-4) Always prominent, led over 3f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Thorny Mandate (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Master'n Commander (9-1) Held up, ridden 3f out, chased leaders and hung left over 2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 3l behind King After (8-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Project Sunshine (GER) 50-1 (8-13) Steadied start, in rear, ridden along after 2f, never dangerous from over 2f out, 11th of 14, 10l behind Dear Gracie (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Hallings Overture (USA) 7-1 (9-7) Slowly away, stayed on from over 2f out, 6th of 14, 4l behind Pothos Way (9-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Don't Mind Me 7-2 (9-1) Mid-division, weakened well over 2f out, last of 14, 30l behind Don Pasquale (8-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
Dream Mountain 20-1 (8-5) Led to 7f out, weakened quickly 5f out, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Sendinpost (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Swords 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Adage (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Grand Sefton 25-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 13, 43l behind Elusive Warrior (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Bienheureux 12-1 (8-12) Dwelt, held up, headway when hampered 3f out, headway well over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Bob's Your Uncle (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
