tracked leaders, headway to lead entering final furlong, pushed out
close up, ridden 2f out, no impression
close up in rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on, not reach winner
dwelt headway to join leader over 5f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, joined over 5f out, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on one pace
A small-but-select field contests this conditions stakes but only Golden Amber looks to be facing an uphill task at the weights. The lightly-raced Mitchum Swagger was third in the Royal Hunt Cup in June but was behind two-times Group 2 winner Here Comes When at Leicester in the spring. That pair look a better bet than Atlantic Sun, fourth in a handicap at York last month, but BUCKSTAY may have their measure. He ran a cracker behind Dutch Connection over this trip at Goodwood and has won twice at Kempton so should handle this surface.
Buckstay (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 2f out, went 4th inside final furlong, kept on, unable to challenge, 4th of 8, 4l behind Dutch Connection (9-3) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Here Comes When (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Took keen hold, in touch on outer, ridden and one pace over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Birchwood (8-8) at Chester 7f lst (1) sft in Jul.
Mitchum Swagger 14-1 (9-8) In rear, far side, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, not reach front pair, 3rd of 28, 1 1/2l behind Portage (9-5) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) sft in Jun.
Golden Amber (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Last pair, pushed along and struggling halfway, soon behind, last of 7, 9 3/4l behind Ridge Ranger (9-4) at York 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Jul.
Atlantic Sun 6-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Get Knotted (9-4) at York 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.