held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, raced alone centre, raced wide back straight, ridden 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong
close up, tracked winner from stable bend, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd when weakened last 100 yards
held up towards rear and keen, headway over 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong kept on
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
held up mid-division, lost place and in rear from 7f out, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, lost place over 5f out, kep ton from 2f out, no impression
This trip will take some getting on the ground but Sphinx won the race in 2008 and is 8lb lower now. It looks like Edwin Tuer has prepared the 13-year-old for one final stab at this prize but JOHN FORBES is preferred. Brian Ellison's charge appears to have everything in his favour today and may be able to outstay his rivals up the home straight. Bollin Judith, Taikoo, Mohawk Ridge and Puy D'Arnac are all recent winners but have gone up in the weights as a result, while Jim Goldie's pair Pokfulham and Soprano are racing from out of the handicap proper. Boss's Destination got found out off this mark at York last time but today's going will suit him better and he shouldn't be left out of calculations.
Bollin Judith 14-1 (9-4) Dwelt held up, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leader approaching final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug beating Kazbow (10-0) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Boss's Destination 2-1fav (9-10) Set steady pace 3f, remained prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 5l behind Bow To No One (9-10) at York 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Taikoo 7-1 (9-2) Led after about 1f, headed after about 2f, chased leader, regained lead over 2f out, soon ridden, edged right and kept on inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr beating Calculating (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Mohawk Ridge 5-1 (9-10) Led 1f, tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug beating Danceintothelight (9-8) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
John Forbes 9-2 (9-8) Broke well soon held up towards rear, switched to race stand side over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, never able to challenge, 4th of 10, 8l behind Chookie Hamilton (9-9) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Sphinx (FR) 33-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway to go prominent halfway, weakened over 3f out, last of 12, 46l behind Bow To No One (9-10) at York 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 12-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, steady headway over 7f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, driven out, won at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft beating Spice Bar (8-11) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Pokfulham (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair inside final furlong, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Think Its All Over (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 5f hcp (4) gd.
Soprano (GER) 15-8fav (9-1) Led 2f, chased clear leader, led again over 6f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, moderate 3rd, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Boss's Destination (9-10) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
