took keen hold, held up in 6th, driven along and outpaced 2f out, rallied inside final furlong to 2nd close home, not able to reach winner
held up in 5th, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, challenged going well 2f out, upsides and every chance until weakened final furlong
tracked leading trio, pushed along 4f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on, not pace of winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
led and stayed wide just off inside rail throughout, joined 2f out, kept narrow advantage until headed over 1f out, stayed on, not pace of winner inside final furlong
reared and awkward leaving stalls, held up last, headway on outside travelling well over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon in command, stayed on well, readily
tracked leading pair, pushed along 5f out, weakened 3f out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is a race that's produced some great finishes over the years and another is in prospect here, with TASTAHIL taken to come out on top ahead of Motrice, Martyr and Free Agent. Our selection's latest run behind the classy Samuel just about represents the best form on offer while his fine second in the Chester Cup also shows this ground won't pose a problem. He's had excuses for a couple of below-par efforts in between, notably when refusing to settle at York, and appears to go particularly well for Richard Hills. Motrice was a head behind Tastahil on identical terms at Doncaster and remains progressive while she's also unexposed on this type of ground, but three-year-olds have a poor record in the race which is off-putting. Free Agent won't mind which way conditions turn and helps to give Richard Hannon a strong hand although with two miles a stretch and Martyr unproven on the ground the trainer may not receive the financial boost his tilt at the trainers' championship needs.
Free Agent 7-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, pushed along 5f out, ridden to close over 2f out, driven to lead on inside over 1f out and soon pressed by runner up, kept advantage throughout final furlong, held on, all out, won at Salisbury 1m 6f cond Stakes (2) gf beating La De Two (9-2) by hd, 5 ran.
Blizzard Blues (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, not clear run and headway 2f out, not much room soon after, ridden to press for 2nd entering final furlong, stayed on, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Senate (8-9) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Martyr 9-2fav (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden and lost place over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 20, 9l behind Dirar (9-1) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gd in Aug.
Pompeyano (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up in 6th, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, pressing winner over 1f out, no extra when lost 2nd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Whispering Gallery (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f Listed stks (1) sft in Aug.
Tastahil (IRE) 22-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, soon tracked leader, led over 3f out,headed 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Samuel (9-1) at Doncaster 2m 2f Grp 2 (1) gd.
Fictional Account (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Soon led, travelling well and sent on from 3f out, soon clear, stayed on well final furlong, won at Down Royal 1m 5f stks gd beating Knight Eagle (8-5) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
On Terms (USA) 7-2 (9-5) Led after 1f, headed over 13f out, tracked leader, led narrowly 7f out, ridden and joined over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Satwa Gold (9-6) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Aug.
Lady Hestia (USA) 7-1 (10-0) Made all, ridden 2f out, held on well, won at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug beating Blazing Desert (9-9) by 1l, 5 ran.
Motrice 4-1 (7-12) Held up in rear, headway and edged left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Samuel (9-1) at Doncaster 2m 2f Grp 2 (1) gd.
