held up, headway when denied a run from over 2f out until last 100 yards, stayed on
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up and keen, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on
held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, stayed on final furlong
close up, ridden 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on well
mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression
slowly into stride, behind, stuggling after 3f
chased leader, kept on from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, one pace
Nonrunner
Nok Twice is one to watch in the betting on his first start for Kevin Ryan however KEYS OF CYPRUS' recent Musselburgh win reads well and if quickly turned out he gets our vote over Balakiref and Ninefineirishmen. The selection stayed on well recently at the Edinburgh track to beat the good yardstick Mr Lu into second. He handles soft ground well and lightly-raced for a six-year-old, he can defy a 6lb penalty. Yorkshire Blue and Eternal Legacy are just two of the numerous course and distance winners in the line-up who handle soft ground well, however the former is hard to win with and the latter needs to forget a recent poor run. Balakiref may be of more interest; Michael Dods' nine-year-old loves the mud and comes here on the back of a good-looking win, beating Rabbit Fighter at Haydock. Stablemate Celtic Lynn is unexposed after just five runs, whilst Ancient Cross is consistent but tends to find one too good whilst Moonage Daydream is all or nothing. Not an easy race for punters to finish with, however Keys Of Cyprus is taken to follow up his recent win.
Balakiref 7-1 (8-8) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 10l behind Makshoof (8-8) at Haydock 6f hcap (4) hvy.
Flying Bantam (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden halfway, not trouble leaders, 7th of 13, 8l behind Crying Aloud (9-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs.
Cat Whistle 28-1 (8-7) Mid-division, effort 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 6l behind Relative Order (9-7) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Ninefineirishmen (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Led, headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 11, 3l behind Handsome Falcon (8-11) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Celtic Lynn (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out until no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Borasco (9-3) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Blindspin 9-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride and behind, soon chased along, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 7th of 10, 6l behind Willkandoo (8-11) at Catterick 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Keys of Cyprus 11-2 (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won at Musselburgh 7f hcap (6) sft beating Mr Lu (9-1) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ancient Cross 15-2 (9-1) Towards rear, stayed on final 2f, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Handsome Falcon (8-11) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Nok Twice (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead briefly 1f out, no extra close home, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Le Chiffre (9-2) at Beverley 7f clm (5) gs in Aug.
Yorkshire Blue 3-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 1/2l behind Obe Brave (9-7) at Hamilton 6f clm (6) gs.
Eternal Legacy (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 13, well behind Granary (8-11) at Leicester 7f hcap (5) hvy.
Betty Burke 6-1 (8-13) Mid-division best, ridden over 2f out and no impression, 13th of 18, 10l behind Capall An Ibre (9-5) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp 0-80 gd in Jul.
Moonage Daydream (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 6l behind Woodsley House (8-13) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
River Bounty 11-2 (8-11) Chased leader, effort 2f out, no extra over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Geoffdaw (9-0) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Aug.
