prominent, shaken up 6f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f, weakened 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, no impression
help up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never a factor
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on
help up in rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, pulled clear
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
1m2f winner Shimmering Sands had a favourites chance here yesterday but ECLIPSE DE LUNAR won this last year and is fancied to repeat. The latter is 10lb lower this time and showed signs of a return to form with a recent fourth on the all-weather. Graces Quest placed over track and trip in July while Gift Of Raaj finished second over 1m6f at Thirsk last time. Red Bond won over a shorter trip at Wolverhampton while Mister Camacho and Valley Of Flowers are usually thereabouts without winning and Flying Moon steps up in trip.
Gift Of Raaj (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Chased clear leader, ridden to close halfway, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out when headed, soon rallied, kept on but no match for winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Joie De Vivre (9-12) at Thirsk 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Sep.
Red Bond (IRE) 11-8fav (10-2) Led, headed over 3f out, switched right and rallied over 1f out, stayed on, led again towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Sep beating Aldabra (9-1) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Graces Quest 10-3fav (11-4) Towards rear, pushed along 3f out, disputing fifth 2f out, ridden along disputing fourth before 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, best work finish, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Point Of Honour (9-11) at Musselburgh 1m 5f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Shimmering Sands 5-4fav (9-8) Steadied start, took keen hold, held up in rear, headway and going easily when not clear run and hampered over 1f out, soon switched left and in the clear, ridden and quickened to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, comfortably, won at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Aug beating Control (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ebony Maw 40-1 (8-13) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, soon struggling, 6th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Wickywickywheels (9-12) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Brazilian Beach (IRE) 11-8fav (8-11) Chased leaders, cajoled along early at times, headway to press front pair 4f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Kanzino (8-11) at Ripon 1m 2f stks (6) gd in Aug.
Belle Of Annandale (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, plugged on, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Gibside (8-10) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Mister Camacho (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Mid-division, pushed along and not quicken over 2f out, plugged on in 3rd final furlong, never threatened, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind The Predictor (9-6) at Thirsk 2m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Flying Moon (GER) 33-1 (8-11) Raced keenly in midfield, pushed along over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Blistering Barney (9-10) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Eclipse De Lunar (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, not much room inside final furlong, not able to challenge, 4th of 5, 1 1/4l behind My Brother Jack (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Taxmeifyoucan (IRE) 10-3 (12-0) Tracked leaders, left 2nd at 10th, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Who's The Guv'nor (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Valley Of Flowers (IRE) 11-4jfav (9-9) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3l behind All About Alice (9-1) at Southwell 1m 3f stks (6) pol in Aug.
Aighear 10-3 (9-6) Steadied start, in rear, headway approaching final 2f, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 9l behind Oh So Chic (9-2) at Carlisle 1m 6f hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Penelopeblueyes (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, plugged on one pace thereafter, 4th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Marbuzet (9-8) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Ain't No Sunshine (IRE) 28-1 (9-13) In rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Good Show (9-4) at Hamilton 1m 4f stks (5) gs in Aug.
