prominent towards centre, disputed lead 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up towards near side, disputed lead 3f out, led over 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on strongly
led narrowly, joined 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up and switched towards near side, in touch over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on down near rail without troubling leaders final furlong
held up and switched towards centre, ridden in rear over 2f out, ran on to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in touch and switched towards centre, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
held up in rear in centre, ridden over 1f out, rapid progress entering final furlong, ran on strongly close home
held up towards near side, ridden and outpaced 3f out, one pace
prominent towards centre, ridden over 2f out, ran on to chase winner over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
NonRunner
It’s been sometime since a three-year-old won this Listed sprint but a bold bid is expected from KEEP BUSY. John Quinn’s filly won in soft going at Hamilton with Tarboosh behind before going close in a tough handicap over 5f at York last week and looks up to this level. She’d earlier finished behind last year’s runner-up Queens Gift and Last Empire over a longer trip at York but the latter’s stablemate Major Jumbo looks a bigger threat on today’s ground and is also preferred to Makanah and Fool For You. Dakota Gold is capable at this level and makes more appeal than Caspian Prince while 2016 winner Alpha Delphini has only raced three times since landing the Nunthorpe in 2018 and has an obvious chance if rediscovering his best.
Alpha Delphini 12-1 (9-1) Led early, chased leaders in centre, lost place over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Moss Gill (9-1) at York 5f lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Dakota Gold 10-1 (9-10) Led near side, driven just after 2f out, outpaced final furlong, 3rd of 10 in group, 7th of 19, 1 3/4l behind Staxton (8-5) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Major Jumbo 5-2 (9-1) Quickly away, led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Judicial (9-6) at Chester 6f lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
Makanah 5-2 (9-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, drifted left inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Mountain Peak (9-6) at Haydock 5f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Tarboosh 50-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders near side, ridden over 1f out, led this group inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 21, 1 1/2l behind Acclaim The Nation (8-12) at York 5f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Fool For You (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Held up in mid-division, effort over 2f out, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Caspian Prince (9-3) at Newcastle 5f hcp (2) pol in Jun.
Last Empire 25-1 (9-4) Led near side group but a few lengths down with centre group, ridden and hung left 2f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 18, 2 3/4l behind Queen Jo Jo (9-4) at York 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Jul.
Queens Gift (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Close up centre, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 18, 2 1/4l behind Queen Jo Jo (9-4) at York 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Jul.
Keep Busy (IRE) 15-2 (9-11) Slow into stride, in touch, headway 2f out, ridden to press winner from over 1f out, not quicken close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Lady In France (9-12) at York 5f hcp fll (2) gd in Aug.
Caspian Prince (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, edged right, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Konchek (9-6) at Salisbury 5f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
