rear mid-division, progress to chase leaders 5f out, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
front mid-division, chased leaders 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden and lost place well over 2f out, stayed on one pace
towards rear, effort and headway well over 2f out, ridden to chase clear leader over 1f out, stayed on strongly well inside last to lead close home
prominent, ridden over 3f out, gradually faded
front mid-division, pushed along and headway over 2f out, chased clear leader 1f out, kept on, not pace to challenge
raced keenly prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, eased
led, pushed along and quickened to go four lengths clear well over 2f out, still three lengths clear well inside last, reduced lead and ridden towards finish, headed close home
switched left start to race in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
raced in last, ridden 3f out, never in contention
rear mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, no impression
Chocolate Box had gone close over today’s trip before last month’s disappointing effort but RUSSIAN RUMOUR is preferred. The latter placed over 1m6f here last time and was winning over 2m off a higher mark at Southwell earlier in the year. Super Superjack can figure if lasting home and the same comment applies to Master Grey while Too Big To Fail showed signs of a return to form when runner-up at Ripon. Dreambird and Bird For Life can also figure if at their best in an open contest.
Chocolate Box (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) Mid division, pushed along on outside 3f out, never a factor, 6th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Flint Hill (10-1) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Storm Chaser (FR) 16-1 (10-1) Prominent, every chance upsides leader approaching 2f out, weakened thereafter, 9th of 11, 13l behind Flint Hill (10-1) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Russian Rumour (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Slowly into stride, pushed along early in rear, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, rallied on inside over 1f out, switched right and stayed on in 3rd inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Cogital (10-4) at Bath 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Super Superjack 5-2 (8-2) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 5, 2 1/4l behind Stargazer (9-8) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Highway One (USA) 6-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 11f out until 7f out, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Percy's Prince (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Master Grey (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Dwelt, held up, closer after 4f, pushed along well over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on well and every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Temur Khan (9-8) at Bath 1m 5f hcp (6) gd in Sep.
Too Big To Fail (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Chased leaders on inside, outpaced over 3f out, rallied and switched right over 1f out, stayed on well and went 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Haizoom (9-3) at Ripon 2m hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Dreambird (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Raced wide tracked leader until pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 26 1/2l behind Merlin's Beard (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
With Pleasure 10-1 (9-10) In rear of mid-division, raced freely, headway on outer after 2f, led after 5f, pressed over 2f out and soon headed, carried left over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Temur Khan (9-8) at Bath 1m 5f hcp (6) gd in Sep.
Bird For Life 12-1 (8-3) Reluctant early, in rear, ridden over 4f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Retrospect (8-3) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Cloudy Rose 7-2 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway out wide 3f out, edged right over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, 6th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Haizoom (9-3) at Ripon 2m hcp (6) gd in Aug.
