with leader, every chance over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on and held towards finish
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
made all, pressed over 1f out, soon ridden, held on well towards finish
in rear, effort over 1f out, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
NonRunner
Mark Johnston sent out last year’s winner and though newcomer ZABEEL CHAMPION only cost 20,000gns he’s a half-brother to smart middle-distance winner Dame Maillot among others and likely to know his job. Bronze River just got the better of Overpriced Mixer on debut at Kempton but Jamie Osborne’s runner is slightly better of at the weights here and there is likely to be little between the pair again. Space Ace is a little exposed but his Lingfield victory came on fast ground so he's not out of this.
Bronze River 5-1 (9-5) Slowly away, headway on outside after 1f, challenged from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, led close home, won at Kempton 1m stks (5) pol in Aug beating Overpriced Mixer (9-5) by hd, 8 ran.
Space Ace (FR) 5-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, joined leader over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Hashtagmetoo (9-0) at Chelmsford City 7f fll stks (4) pol in Aug.
Zabeel Champion Poet's Voice colt out of Stars In Your Eyes.
Numinous (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Went left start, outpaced in last pair, hung left most of way and never a factor, last of 10, 11 3/4l behind Dance Fever (9-5) at Windsor 6f stks (4) gf in Sep.
Unbridled Light (FR) 33-1 (9-0) With leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, behind when reminder and hung right well over 1f out, last of 5, 15 3/4l behind Gert Lush (9-0) at Chepstow 7f fll stks (5) gd in Aug.
Overpriced Mixer 7-4fav (9-5) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, won at Thirsk 1m stks (5) gd in Aug beating Strawman (9-5) by 3/4l, 8 ran.