tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place
behind, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
behind, stayed on final 2f
chased leaders, raced alone far side, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, effort 2f out, one pace
chased leader, every chance until weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well
led, ridden, headed over 1f out, one pace
COUNTDOWN has climbed back to his last winning mark but is likely to take a lot of beating in a race where a case can be made for many of the contenders including Ink Spot, Esoterica and Charles Parnell. Although not the most consistent, Countdown, if reproducing his fast finishing second on ground that would have been faster than ideal last time, will take a lot of stopping. Ink Spot is relatively unexposed but is now on a career high mark. She is not the most straightforward of horses but the drop back to seven furlongs should suit while Esoterica, travels strongly in her races but doesn't always find as much as expected off the bridle. She is a course winner while Charles Parnell is a victim of his own consistency and is plenty high enough in the weights. Countdown is the pick to land it. (John McDonnell)
The Osteopath (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 21l behind Zero Tolerance (9-1) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-100 (2) hvy.
Countdown 11-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, driven, headway over 1f out, ridden, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, nk behind Sir Xaar (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcap (3) gf in Jul.
Ink Spot 9-4fav (9-6) Held up in rear, switched right and headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, keeping on when intimidated towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Opus Maximus (9-0) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Esoterica (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 4l behind Observatory Star (9-2) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Charles Parnell (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Alexander Huricane (9-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Alqaahir (USA) 33-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind Charlie Tipple (8-12) at Redcar 1m hcap (3) gd.
Amicus Meus (IRE) 7-2fav (8-9) Hampered start, soon mid-division, pushed along from halfway, ridden to go 4th inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 4th of 13, 5l behind Earlsmedic (8-7) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Zabeel Tower 3-1fav (9-10) Close up, ridden over 3f out, headway from over 2f out to lead entering final furlong, kept on, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft beating Horatio Carter (9-11) by 1l, 8 ran.
My Gacho (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Lesson In Humility (8-12) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Flores Sea (USA) 4-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Zabeel Tower (9-10) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
No Grouse 4-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Lucayos (9-11) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
