prominent, led approaching 2f out, under strong pressure, headed briefly inside, kept on gamely
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
soon well behind, pulled up over 2f out, dismounted
mid-division, driven 4f out, no impression
mid-division, steady headway 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
steadied start, never dangerous
always in the rear
never a factor
always prominent, ridden and led briefly inside final furlong, kept on gamely, just denied
soon led, clear over 6f out, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, soon beaten
prominent, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, faded
Nonrunner
WHENEVER is preferred to Greenwich Village and Victoria Montoya in the finale. The selection has been frustrating to follow this season with the exaggerated hold-up tactics which have been employed failing to bear fruit. There's no doubt that he's handicapped to win a race of this nature, he has the scope for further improvement and has proved his affinity for the track; hopefully, a change of pilot will prove key. Desert Sea had finished a long way in front of him at Sandown in June but has no margin for error at the revised weights. Ascalon was very impressive at Newmarket but steps up half a mile in trip and has to race from a 13lb higher mark; he may prove up to the task but has to be taken on with so much to prove. Greenwich Village also faces a rise in the weights but he has nothing to prove in regard to this trip; this is a step up in class but he's progressing well and looks capable of holding his own. Victoria Montoya has been well held the last two times but has legitimate excuses for both performances; prior to that she had battled on gamely to win a well-contested race at Sandown. She's a tough sort who won't go down without a fight but we'll be hoping that Steve Drowne can deliver his challenge at the right time and that Whenever will sweep past her in the final furlong.
Ascalon 7-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, clear over 1f out, ridden out, comfortably, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug beating Sleepy Hollow (8-8) by 10l, 10 ran.
Desert Sea (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Keen, held up, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, kept on final furlong but no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Askar Tau (9-2) at Great Leighs 2m hcap (2) pol.
Minkowski 18-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up, not much room over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon no impression, 9th of 20, 9l behind All The Good (9-0) at Newbury 1m 5f hcap (2) gs in Aug.
Full House (IRE) 18-1 (8-12) In rear, tailed off halfway and pulled up in race won by Bulwark (9-4) at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gd in May, 17 ran.
Missoula (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, soon ridden, rallied final furlong, no impression, 8th of 18, 4l behind Arc Bleu (8-2) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) sft in Jun.
Grande Caiman (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Steadied start, always in rear, never a factor, eased over 1f out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Tropical Strait (9-13) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Aug.
Crossbow Creek 16-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up, raced keenly, never dangerous final 2f, 12th of 13, 20l behind Bahar Shumaal (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Four Miracles 9-4fav (8-13) Held up, keen, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at York 2m 2f hcap (3) gf in Jul beating Chocolate Caramel (9-2) by a nk, 7 ran.
Whenever 2-1fav (9-12) Held up towards rear, driven and headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Lady Dedlock (8-13) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Aug.
Downhiller (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, disputed 2nd over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Detonator (9-7) at Great Leighs 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) pol.
Kasthari (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Held up, soon chasing leaders, led over 8f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 10, 25l behind Bollin Felix (9-9) at Thirsk 2m hcap (4) sft.
Greenwich Village 5-1 (9-2) Prominent, chased leader 10f out, ridden over 3f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug beating General Ting (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Victoria Montoya 14-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, some moderate late headway, never nearer, 5th of 11, 10l behind Detonator (9-7) at Great Leighs 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) pol.
Colloquial 16-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 4f out, no impression, 10th of 11, 19l behind Fiulin (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcap (2) gd.
Daylami Dreams 15-2 (8-7) Prominent in chasing group, closed 6f out, pushed along 4f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, 6th of 18, 12l behind Baddam (9-4) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Jul.
