slowly into stride, soon recovered tracking leaders, ridden on outside 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, clear 3f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, chased winner but no chance final furlong
tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out, led inside final 2f, came clear final furlong, easily
chased leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, stayed on same pace in 3rd
behind, pushed along and outpaced halfway, no chance after
in touch, pushed along and outpaced 5f out, ridden and struggling over 2f out, some late minor headway, never a threat
Jay Kay is the intriguing contender here as he boasts a stellar record at this track where he's landed four victories from five starts. One of those successes came on soft ground but he's been generally below par under such conditions this term, although he is steadily descending the weights and is now just 3lb higher than his last winning mark. Beautiful Stranger carries a 6lb penalty for his win here last weekend when EASTERN DRAGON was just over a length behind in third spot. The latter is now significantly better off as the winner is saddled with a 6lb penalty and Iain Jardine has booked useful 5lb claimer Garry Whillans for his charge, who is taken to reverse placings at the revised weights. Course winner Haidees Reflection would have claims at her best off bottomweight.
Beautiful Stranger (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well, eased close home, won at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gs in Jul beating Dark Crystal (9-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Jay Kay 10-1 (8-9) Led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 20 1/4l behind Dream Walker (8-11) at Leicester 7f hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Eastern Dragon (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders on inside, ridden and every chance 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Beautiful Stranger (9-9) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Arantes 28-1 (8-13) Soon held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Innocent Touch (10-0) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Gun Case 50-1 (9-10) Always in rear, well behind final 3f, last of 10, dist behind Beautiful Stranger (9-9) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Haidees Reflection 14-1 (8-11) Switched left start, held up in rear, ridden on inside and no headway over 1f out, 8th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Favourite Treat (9-4) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
