slowly into stride, always behind
behind, never dangerous
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
behind, never dangerous
led after 1f, headed towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd halfway, one pace from over 1f out
in touch, stayed on from over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
charged gate, rider briefly lost iron, always towards rear
led for 1f, tracked leader, stayed on to lead towards finish
Nonrunner
JONNY LESTERS HAIR gets a speculative nomination as the one to be on. Hiccups and Esoterica are others to keep on the right side when the betting warms up. Esoterica has paid his dues this season and remains in good heart. His connections will be keeping an eye on the weather, though, as he would not want too much juice in the ground. Hiccups has dropped to a handy mark and has shaped as if he is about to strike with a couple of near misses. He is not one to trust implicitly but, as he goes well here, the eight-year-old cannot be discounted. By the same token, Daaweitza is also worth a mention but a soft surface will also count him, so he may be best watched on this occasion. Therefore, Jonny Lesters Hair looks the most reliable choice. Tim Easterby's charge will relish the conditions and everything seems to be falling into place for his return to racing on turf. The selection pulled too hard when he was beaten on the all-weather at Kempton earlier in the month and is better judged on his previous victory at Beverley, which was gained in game and gritty fashion. A repeat dose would be good enough to see him home and hosed today.
Game Lad 33-1 (8-7) Raced centre, held up in rear, merged with far side group halfway, never on terms, 14th of 17, 8l behind Plum Pudding (9-6) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Daaweitza 10-1 (8-8) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Willow Dancer (8-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Grazeon Gold Blend 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 21, 5l behind Main Aim (9-4) at Doncaster 6f hcap (3) sft in Sept.
Hiccups 9-2 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, always held, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Kings Point (9-10) at Thirsk 7f hcap (4) sft in Sept.
Esoterica (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 20l behind Medici Pearl (9-5) at Ayr 1m hcap (4) hvy in Sept.
Bold Marc (IRE) 4-1fav (9-3) Led after 1f, driven clear 2f out, ridden over 1f out, driven and kept on final furlong, held on near finish, won at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs beating Keys of Cyprus (9-6) by a hd, 15 ran.
Jonny Lesters Hair (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden and no impression over 1f out, weakened, 7th of 13, 7l behind Noble Citizen (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol.
Quest For Success (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, driven to lead near line, won at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp (4) gd beating Internationaldebut (9-1) by 1l, 11 ran.
River Thames 13-2 (9-1) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, no impression, 5th of 15, 5l behind Bold Marc (9-3) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Zabeel Tower 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders stand's side group, weakened over 2f out, last of 17, 16l behind Lap of Honour (8-13) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy.
Trimlestown (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Prominent, squeezed through between rivals to lead inside final furlong, driven and asserted towards finish, won at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol beating I Confess (8-9) by 1l, 14 ran.
Shotley Mac 16-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders stand side group, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Lap of Honour (8-13) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy.
Addikt (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along and struggling 3f out, 10th of 12, 16l behind Opera Prince (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
