mid-division on outside, pushed along halfway, soon outpaced and beaten
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led early, settled 3rd after 1f, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish
chased leaders on inside, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, headed and not pace of winner towards finish
held up towards rear, effort on outside edging left 2f out, kept on final furlong, going on close home, never nearer
mid-division on inside, headway on rail chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
tracked leader after 1f, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
held up, headway on inside over 1f out, switched right and strong run inside final furlong, led towards finish, won going away
held up and behind, never on terms
hung left final 2f, always towards rear
Christmas Night is rarely far away and usually contests better races than this. He’s still 3lb higher than when scoring at Beverley in June but has obvious claims. SUPER MAJOR only won a seller at Thirsk but can confirm that form with third Here In The Dark and also makes more appeal than the Tim Easterby pair Supaulette and Twilight. Strategic has the inside berth and looks a threat while Bee Machine won over course and distance in April, though was well behind Christmas Night next time.
Salazar (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 14l behind Delph Crescent (9-1) at Beverley 1m hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Super Major (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Raced wide in touch, headway to chase leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gs in Jul beating Duba Plains (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Christmas Night 9-4fav (9-1) Led main group centre, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, carried left and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Qaaraat (9-7) at Leicester 6f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Havana Mariposa 10-3 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, outpaced and no impression final furlong, 5th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Roys Dream (10-0) at Carlisle 6f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Muraadef 12-1 (8-9) Raced keenly, tracked winner, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, behind and eased inside final furlong, last of 7, 9l behind Austin Powers (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Strategic (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, driven 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, ridden and every chance briefly inside final furlong, not pace of winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Javelin (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Bee Machine (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Keen in touch on outside, outpaced 2f out, rallied approaching final furlong, no extra closing stages, 5th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Charleston Belle (9-9) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Supaulette (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) In touch, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Duncan Of Scotland (10-0) at Ayr 6f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Twilight (IRE) 3-1fav (8-12) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Military Madame (9-3) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Allnite (IRE) 13-2 (8-5) In touch centre, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Vallarta (9-7) at Ayr 6f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Hocus Focus (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) In touch, weakened 2f out, 13th of 14, 19 3/4l behind Supreme Power (9-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Here In The Dark 9-2 (9-13) Dwelt headway to lead after 1f, 3 lengths clear over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd post, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Super Major (9-7) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gs in Jul.
