in touch, ridden and headway 3f out, edged left and kept on
led, headed 3f out and weakened
in touch, hampered and unseated rider 2f out
prominent, led 3f out, ridden out
always towards rear
soon prominent and keen, weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden when hampered 2f out, faded final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway to chase leaders over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, one pace
keen in rear, held when hampered 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden and wandered 2f out, every chance 1f out, one pace inside well inside final furlong
Piano Player, Cool Ebony and You Call That Art form the shortlist in this tight handicap and the vote is given to Piano Player. The selection was a fair second behind Envision at Salisbury last time and he had previously won well at Lingfield when beating Surely Truly. He will find this more competitive but he still stands out as the one to beat. Cool Ebony will give him the most to think about as he did win in this grade last time at Haydock when beating Sgt Schultz. His trainer believes there is more to come and he should again prove too strong for Sgt Schultz and he is respected as a live danger to our selection. You Call That Art is from a top yard and he will be suited by the step-up in trip so he is another to consider. However, Piano Player is in good form and gets the vote.
Star of The Desert (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 14, 7l behind Illustrious Blue (9-2) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jul.
You Call That Art (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden over 3 furlong out, no impression on leaders and weakened 2f out, 7th of 14, 6l behind Finsbury (9-4) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Piano Player (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Envision (8-12) at Salisbury 1m clm (5) gf in Jul.
Cool Ebony 8-1 (9-6) Made virtually all, ridden 2f out, ran on, won at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul beating Sgt Schultz (9-2) by a nk, 10 ran.
Monmouthshire 50-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 12, well behind Invention (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in May.
Tecktal (FR) 13-2 (8-11) In touch until ridden and weakened 3f out, 7th of 13, 13l behind Soft Centre (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) gd in Sept.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, nk behind Cool Ebony (9-6) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
High Octave (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, switched left to chase leaders approaching 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Imperial Gain (9-4) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Lady Cree (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up, driven over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 14, 5l behind Wagtail (9-5) at Windsor 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Signal Hill 8-11fav (9-7) Held up, effort over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 4th of 9, 4l behind Noble Nova (9-6) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-60 (6) frm in Jul.
Emotive 11-4fav (9-1) Chased winner over 3f out, ridden to chase winner again 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Munaa (9-2) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf.
