slowly away, in rear, pushed along over 2f out, kept on, never nearer
tracked leaders centre, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
close up centre, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on
in touch, pushed along and weakened approaching final furlong
tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, ran on
made all, ridden over 1f out, all out
in touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
tracked leaders centre, switched left to stand side group and close up 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
close up, pushed along 3f out, weakened final furlong
led centre group, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, nearest finish
Though second in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in July, Ropey Guest was allowed to start at ridiculously-inflated odds racing off the same mark at York last month and duly got his head back in front. He’ll probably run his race again here and Top Secret clearly wasn’t right when well behind Spangled Mac and Popmaster at Newbury last month. Hickory was only beaten half-a-length in a heritage handicap over course and distance in July but is closely matched with third Star Of Orion on today’s terms. Love De Vega made all and easily held off Abduction at Musselburgh 10 days ago but won’t get an easy lead here as Quinault has been blazing a trail over 6f, though his winning run came to an end here last time off this mark. MOBASHR has been raised a pound for finishing second at Newcastle but still props up the weights. He has form over track and trip and could be worth an interest in a wide-open handicap.
Bless Him (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Raced far side, steadied start, held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach group leaders, 14th of 25, 6 1/2l behind Baradar (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) gd in Jul.
Ropey Guest 40-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden and headway to join leader approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug beating Point Lynas (9-3) by hd, 19 ran.
Escobar (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Slow away, held up in last, switched right and headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 5, at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Star Of Orion (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway 3f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Rhoscolyn (8-9) at Goodwood 7f hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Spangled Mac (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway when not clearest of runs and squeezed through inside final furlong, quickened to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Newbury 7f hcp (2) gs in Aug beating Popmaster (9-10) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Popmaster (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside furlong, kept on into 2nd final strides, never going pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Spangled Mac (9-7) at Newbury 7f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Quinault (GER) 9-2 (9-13) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, not pace of winner and lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 10, 5 3/4l behind Dark Trooper (9-8) at Ascot 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Orbaan 12-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 11th of 19, 4 1/4l behind Ropey Guest (9-2) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Hickory (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Raced near side, held up off the pace towards rear, good headway near side rail over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd final strides, not reach winner, 2nd of 25, 1/2l behind Baradar (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) gd in Jul.
Havana Blue 6-1 (9-2) In rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 18 1/4l behind Dutch Decoy (9-7) at Newmarket 1m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Abduction (FR) 3-1 (9-11) Raced keenly in 3rd on inside, went 2nd final 110 yards, never able to challenge, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Love De Vega (9-4) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Love De Vega (IRE) 5-2jfav (9-4) Made all, set steady pace until pushed along and quickened over 2f out, ridden inside final 2f, ran on strongly inside final furlong, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp (3) gf in Aug beating Abduction (9-11) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Top Secret 17-2 (9-2) Chased leaders far side of group, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final 2f, eased when no chance, 10th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Spangled Mac (9-7) at Newbury 7f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Mobashr (USA) 8-1 (9-12) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Billy Mill (9-8) at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
