Expert Analysis

The third win in a row for British raiders. While Scope is not yet as good as last year’s winner Subjectivist went on to be, his form here compares closely with that gelding’s at the same stage, and there could be more to come from him. The pace was tepid for the opening 900 metres, if better thereafter, the last-600m finishing speed of 108.3% underlining that this was not the stoutest of tests despite soft ground.

SCOPE (114 here, 111 previously) has come good in his last two races, hinted at by his strong-finishing sixth in the St Leger before that, and he could well do better still next year faced with a similar or greater test of stamina. He raced close up, took a short while to respond but worked his way to the front rank, was joined again 250m out but stayed on strongly to be comfortably on top by the line.  

SKAZINO (112 here and previously) has proved a model of consistency of late, running well again with no excuses, mid-field until headway wide 500m out, possibly edging ahead briefly with 250m to go but held at the line.

GLYCON (108 here and previously) ran creditably, travelling well tracking the pace, making headway to challenge 400m out but one paced after.

SEARCH FOR A SONG (102+ here, 115 previously) has her quirks but is probably best forgiven this modest effort, set plenty to do while going well, shaken up and making some headway 500m out but no further impression for stronger pressure until going on well at the death, the way the race unfolded against her.

ZERO TEN (104 here, 98 previously) ran remarkably well for one who had been beaten off a mark of 94 the time before, close up and leading from 500m out to 250m out then fading.

VALIA (94 here, 112 previously) might not have been herself, slowly away (not for the first time) though soon in mid-field, her rider seeming uneasy at halfway but remaining in with a chance of sorts until the final 400m.

CALL THE WIND (95 here, 109 previously) is not the gelding he was but ran poorly even so, always behind.

KEMARI (95 here, 106 previously) had a bit to find but simply ran poorly (as he had done two starts before), tracking the pace but in trouble 700m out and beaten with 400m to go.

QUICKTHORN (95 here, 110 previously) ran poorly again, never better than mid-division.

BEL ARISTO (86 here, 97 previously)

LORD ACHILLES (76 here, 101 previously)

ALKUIN (65 here, 103 previously) soon led but capitulated when headed with 500m to go.