led until over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, eased final furlong
chased leaders, hard driven to challenge over 1f out, weakened closing stages
held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra closing stages
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on strongly
went right start, keen, tracked leaders, effort when not clear run over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, soon weakened
always prominent, led over 2f out, hard driven, stayed on well
short of room leaving stalls, held up outpaced 3f out, rallied over 2f out, no extra final furlong
Though a little disappointing last time at Haydock, a first try over 2m may well suit the three-year-old Themaxwecan and he looks a danger to all. But CRYSTAL KING looked an unlucky loser at Ayr last month, staying on in the closing stages having been hampered. On that evidence, he’ll also appreciate the step up in distance and should again beat Sleeping Lion. October Storm will be staying on but lacks an extra gear and Sandown winner Knight Crusader is upped in class. Piedita is a strong stayer but may just need this after almost a year off.
Crystal King 9-2fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Island Brave (9-5) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Quloob 9-2 (9-8) Close up, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 6, 12 1/2l behind Gumball (8-13) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Sleeping Lion (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 10th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Island Brave (9-5) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Blue Laureate 7-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Caliburn (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jun.
Piedita (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, hampered over 4f out, headway over 3f out, weakened from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 36 1/4l behind Lil Rockerfeller (8-13) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Knight Crusader 10-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chasing leaders when not clear run over 2f out, switched left to challenge, led over 1f out, hard ridden, all out, won at Sandown 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Machine Learner (10-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Themaxwecan (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Held up in touch in mid-division improved 9f out, ridden on outside 3f out, one pace and beaten from 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Sir Ron Priestley (9-6) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
October Storm 13-2 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind True Destiny (9-7) at York 2m hcp (4) gf in Jun.