reared start, brief effort
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
mid-division on inside, ridden 3f out to chase leader, weakened approacing final furlong
always in rear
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left final furlong
slowly into stride, never a factor
outpaced early, headway 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on
mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, faded
tracked leaders, ridden, hung left and ran on to chase winner final furlong
In a tricky nursery, Jost Van Dyke, Cuppacocoa and Fair 'n Square are short listed with the vote going to Cuppacocoa. Much as he was disappointing at Sandown last time, Inflight's form prior to that was decent enough and he has to be considered here today. Although cheaply-acquired, Jost Van Dyke comes here on a fair rating based on his efforts, so he is respected, while Cuppacocoa came good here last time and, given that he won well in a modest event, his rating might have been understated, so he gets a big shout too. Finally, Fair 'n Square is well weighted with Inflight based on June Brighton form, so can clearly be given a chance, and we get the feeling that we have yet to see the best of Hephaestus. Finally, Road To Recovery is a potential improver in first-time headgear but, overall, we will stick with Cuppacocoa.
Inflight (IRE) 3-1fav (8-6) Pulled hard, held up in rear, no chance final 2f, last of 10, 9l behind Black Moma (8-6) at Sandown 5f 2yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Road To Recovery 6-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 9th of 14, 8l behind Kyshanty (9-0) at Chepstow 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Jost Van Dyke 14-1 (8-3) Prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Black Moma (8-6) at Sandown 5f 2yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Cuppacocoa 6-4fav (8-5) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Bath 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf in Aug beating The Cool Sandpiper (8-9) by 1l, 9 ran.
Hephaestus 9-4 (9-1) With leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged right, headed towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Aggbag (8-12) at W'hampton 6f 2yo clm (5) pol in Aug.
Fair 'n Square (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Auction Oasis (8-6) at Lingfield 6f 2yo sll (6) gd in Aug.
Queen of Narnia 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 16, 7l behind Mambo Spirit (9-7) at Warwick 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Picture Frame 16-1 (7-13) Dwelt and switched right at start, always in rear, 8th of 10, 16l behind Algol (8-6) at Ripon 6f 2yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.