in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, held on well
slowly away, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong until lost 2nd place towards finish
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Strong Steps won this last year, when favourite Royal Shaheen was only sixth, and is 5lb lower so goes on the short-list. Chinese Spirit, Mustaqbal and Two For Two are other previous course and distance winners but Mywayistheonlyway has been struggling to get his head in front in lesser company. Lagenda won at Haydock 10 days ago but looks vulnerable off a 5lb higher mark. KHARBETATION has found his form again since dropping back to a mile. He needs a fast pace as he tends to race keenly but should get that here.
Kharbetation (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Taken to post early, close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Recollect (8-13) at Leicester 1m hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Two For Two (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Held up in touch in rear, ridden inside final 2f, never pace to threaten leaders, 5th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Weellan (9-3) at Ripon 1m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Strong Steps 12-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, struggling for pace when not much room and snatched up inside final furlong, no chance after, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Tommy G (9-2) at Ayr 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Lagenda 11-4fav (9-11) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Haydock 1m hcp (5) gs in Jul beating Acrux (10-1) by 2l, 9 ran.
Mywayistheonlyway (IRE) 2-1jfav (9-11) Taken to post early, pressed winner throughout, ridden over 1f out, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Pepys (9-3) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Royal Shaheen (FR) 10-1 (9-8) Soon led, clear to over 2f out, headed when ridden inside final 2f, kept on, no extra final 110 yards, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Good Boy Alfie (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Mustaqbal (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Held up in last pair, not clearest of runs 2f out, no great headway after, 6th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Racemaker (9-11) at Ayr 1m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Chinese Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked clear leader, headway over 2f out, led narrowly inside final 2f, ridden and headed 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Good Boy Alfie (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Mi Capricho (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) In touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Arabian Jazz (8-11) at Musselburgh 7f stks (5) gf in Sep.