slowly into stride, in rear, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
always towards rear, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
prominent, stayed on well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed near finish
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace
towards rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, led briefly inside final furlong, hard ridden and rallied to regain lead close home
behind, ridden well over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
held up, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
There's no doubt that Mark Johnston's Comedy Hall is heading in the right direction but he's not obviously well treated on his handicap debut so we instead turn our attentions to TRANSFIXED, who should go well on this softer ground and Mister Hughie is also in our thoughts. Runner-up off this mark last time out the pick showed a hint of a return to his best and although his last win came on quick ground his maiden victory was recorded in softer conditions. His yard landed a winner earlier in the week and this step down in trip isn't an issue. Comedy Hall easily landed a maiden on his third start last time out for which he has been allotted a rating of 87. That looks a little high but he'll go well on this ground and is open to plenty of improvement. Mister Hughie ran a good race under this burden last time but has stamina to prove and Bluie is a definite contender on his preferred surface. A good competitive handicap this and Transfixed looks to be back in form.
Comedy Hall (USA) 5-6fav (9-3) Made all, drew clear final furlong, easily, won at Catterick 5f 2yo mdn (5) sft beating Magical Macey (9-3) by 5l, 11 ran.
Little Perisher 40-1 (9-7) Always behind, last of 17, 15l behind Yurituni (8-0) at York 6f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Bluie 5-1 (8-6) Led, hung left and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 15, 7l behind Layla's Hero (8-9) at Haydock 6f 2yo hcp (2) gs.
Gertmegalush (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Duchess Dora (9-4) at Beverley 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) fm in Aug.
Mister Hughie (IRE) 9-4fav (8-12) Chased leaders, squeezed through on inside well over 1f out, soon every chance, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Micky's Knock Off (8-1) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Hold On Tiger (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Made all, ridden and under pressure inside final furlong, just held on, won at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) sft in Aug beating Lilyannabanana (8-1) by shd, 10 ran.
Transfixed (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and headway to lead over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, nk behind Bab At The Bowster (9-0) at Chester 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Sovereign Secure (IRE) 100-1 (8-6) Led until over 4f out, led again now to over 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on under pressure, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Hold Your Colour (8-11) at Ripon 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Aug.
My One Weakness (IRE) 14-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra, 7th of 11, 13l behind Layali Al Andalus (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Maison Brillet (IRE) 80-1 (8-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 17l behind Layali Al Andalus (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Eight Hours 6-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Ripon 6f 2yo hcp (4) gd beating Gillburg (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Masked Dance (IRE) 9-4fav (9-2) Made all far side, clear over 1f out, driven out, comfortably, won at Ripon 6f 2yo sll (5) gd in Aug beating Drinking Buddy (9-2) by 9l, 18 ran.
