driven to lead and soon clear, ridden over 4f out, headed 3f out, no impression final 2f
led early, tracked leader to over 4f out, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, lost pace over 3f out, soon weakened
in rear, pushed along and struggling halfway, ridden over 5f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd, over 1f out, no chance with winner
held up in touch, headway to track leader over 4f out, led 3f out, soon clear, eased final furlong easily
An intriguing stayers' contest where a few have chances, namely Patxaran, Industrial Star, Key Time and Ten Carat, and we will take a chance on topweight Ten Carat. Martin Todhunter does not run too many on the level and he can get the upper hand over the flat boys. This thorough stayer has won off marks higher than this in the past, gets this trip well on fas ground, and has first time blinkers to sharpen him up and we're going to give him the nod. Key Time is a massive danger and may even start odds-on. It may seem like folly opposing a Sir Mark Prescott runner in a race like this, but he was beaten off this mark last time and despite the status of his connections they can't win every time and so we are prepared to oppose. Industrial Star is up 4lb for a gutsy c&d win last time. That looks fair and he will make a bold bid once more, while locally trained Patxaran is interesting stepped up to this trip and market support would probably be significant. But Ten Carat has been given a chance by the handicapper and he can take gold.
Ten Carat 100-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden over 5f out, never dangerous, 16th of 20, 16l behind Toldo (8-2) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) gf.
Double Obsession 20-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 29, 18l behind Baddam (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Jun.
Patxaran (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, soon outpaced by winner, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 7, hd behind Generosia (8-4) at Haydock 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gf.
Industrial Star (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Started slowly, soon mid-division, headway 4f out, led over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun beating Calatagan (9-3) by 2l, 12 ran.
Key Time (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Led, ridden 3f out, headed 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Raslan (8-10) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Rare Coincidence 5-1 (10-0) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 11, 11l behind Sudden Impulse (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcap (6) gd.