tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
keen close up, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
dwelt keen in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
went right start, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression towards finish
went left start, tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt and bumped start, towards rear, never on terms
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on
close up, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression towards finish
close up, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no extra towards finish
in rear, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
It was soft going when Lucky Lucky Man won at Hamilton recently and DARK DEFENDER makes more appeal. The latter posted his best effort since winning at Newmarket in June when finishing runner-up in the Bronze Cup here last time and can confirm running with both John Kirkup and Erich Bloch. Primo's Comet is usually thereabouts without winning while Mr Wagyu can do better back on today’s faster ground having finished ahead of a several of these when second over track and trip earlier.
Dark Defender 40-1 (9-3) Raced keenly, chased leaders, ridden for effort over 1f out, kept on well to grab second final strides, 2nd of 23, 1l behind Roundhay Park (9-3) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
John Kirkup 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders travelling well, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 4th of 23, 1 1/2l behind Roundhay Park (9-3) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Royal Prospect (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Bernardo O'Reilly (9-9) at Doncaster 6f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Shallow Hal 2-1fav (9-2) Close up, pushed along and slightly outpaced 4f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Katheefa (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Dick Datchery (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Steadied start, held up and behind, some headway far side of group over 1f out, eased when no chance inside final furlong, 13th of 19, 5 1/4l behind My Style (9-1) at Ascot 6f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Mr Wagyu (IRE) 11-2 (9-9) Ridden to dispute early lead, asked for effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 7 3/4l behind After John (9-9) at Redcar 6f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Stroxx (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, sent forward, hampered after 1f, pulled hard soon after, chased leaders halfway, no extra final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Progressive Rating (9-9) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (4) pol in Oct.
Erich Bloch (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Led, pushed along over 2f out, kept on well when ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 6th of 23, 1 1/2l behind Roundhay Park (9-3) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Chookie Dunedin 14-1 (9-10) Niggled towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, faded close home, 5th of 15, 2l behind After John (9-9) at Redcar 6f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Lucky Lucky Man (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Hamilton 6f hcp (5) sft in Sep beating Quanah (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Be Proud (IRE) 4-1fav (9-3) Midfield towards far side, ridden and headway between horses over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Mid Winster (9-11) at Ayr 5f hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Primo's Comet 15-2 (8-9) Towards rear, waited wit 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Victory Angel (8-13) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
