midfield, headway from 2f out, ridden when led 1f out, ran on strongly when faced challenge inside final 50 yards, momentarily headed final strides, got back up on the line, just held on
awkward at start, towards rear, chased leaders towards centre from 2f out, soon struggling, weakened inside final furlong
disputed early, led after 1st furlong, ridden before 1f out, outpaced inside final furlong, dropped to fourth inside final 110 yards
towards rear, moved to midfield before halfway, tracked leader from 1f out, ran on strongly and momentarily led final strides, headed on the line, just denied
never better than midfield
disputed early, headed at 1st furlong but stayed close up, ridden well before 1f out, weakened quickly and dropped to last inside final furlong
in touch, chased leaders from 2f out, outpaced by front four inside final furlong, kept on
held up last, always outpaced, rallied to make modest headway to sixth inside final furlong, never dangerous
in touch, chased leader when briefly went second 2f out, dropped to third and outpaced by front pair inside final furlong, kept on
NonRunner
NonRunner
Zargun won this in 2021 but hasn’t threatened for some time while Count D'Orsay and Copper Knight were both well beaten in last year’s renewal and finished behind Wen Moon at York last week. The latter also beat Strong Johnson, Never Dark and Dickieburd but had earlier found VINTAGE CLARETS (NAP) too good on the Knavesmire. Richard Fahey’s charge had the re-opposing Manila Scouse back in third on that occasion and another bold bid is expected. Glorious Angel is preferred to Bergerac of the rest.
Vintage Clarets 5-1 (9-3) Close up, led 2f out and pushed along, ridden 1f out, ran on gamely, always doing enough, won at York 5f hcp (2) gs in Sep beating Wen Moon (8-7) by nk, 19 ran.
Wen Moon (IRE) 10-3fav (8-12) In touch with leaders, smooth headway halfway, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ridden and hung left entering final furlong, kept on but edged left towards finish, always doing enough, won at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Nomadic Empire (8-11) by 1l, 12 ran.
Manila Scouse 11-4fav (8-8) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ran on one pace, 4th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Never Dark (8-2) at Haydock 5f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Glorious Angel (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Rock Melody (9-1) at Musselburgh 7f hcp fll (3) gd in Oct.
Strong Johnson (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden and outpaced halfway, never on terms, 10th of 12, 13 1/2l behind Wen Moon (8-12) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Never Dark 6-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Wen Moon (8-12) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Copper Knight (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind Wen Moon (8-12) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Dickieburd 17-2 (8-9) Towards rear, minor headway 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 12, 5l behind Wen Moon (8-12) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Count D'Orsay (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Midfield in touch, ridden and weakened from 2f out, 8th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Wen Moon (8-12) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Bergerac (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Prominent near side, led group over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon no chance with other groups, 18th of 25, 12 3/4l behind Wobwobwob (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Zargun (GER) 22-1 (9-7) Led, headed over 2f out, remained close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Rambuso Creek (9-1) at Leicester 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct.