tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, always held
made all, driven and quickened over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on well
slowly into stride, held up in rear, driven and headway over 1f out, went 3rd when ridden inside final furlong, kept on, not reach front pair
held up in touch, outpaced 2f out, lost place over 1f out, behind final furlong
took keen hold, tracked winner, lost place when ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, went 4th and kept on final furlong, no chance with front trio
Sir Michael Stoute has adopted a typically wise and patient approach with PLAYFUL SOUND (NAP) who can maintain her unbeaten record for the master trainer. The Street Cry filly outpointed useful sorts in a select York handicap on the back of a Salisbury maiden success in the manner of one destined for black type in the future and will hopefully not be fazed by the idiosyncrasies of this venue. Cote d'Azur's winning spree came to an end at Beverley last time and he may now require some leniency from the handicapper, whilst both Brorocco and Tukhoom failed to justify favouritism last time with rather low-key efforts. They still appeal as main dangers though if returning to their previously upwardly mobile form.
Cote d'Azur 10-3 (8-11) Held up, effort over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Dolphin Vista (9-0) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Playful Sound 11-4 (8-12) Slowly into stride, driven forward and soon racing keenly tracking leaders, short of room over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at York 1m 2f hcp fll (3) gf in Jul beating Siren's Cove (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Brorocco 4-1 (8-5) Slow into stride soon pushed along in rear, not handle bend over 5f out, soon raced keen, headway on outer over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 4th of 6, 3 3/4l behind Rockspirit (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Tukhoom (IRE) 2-1fav (9-2) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace in 4th inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Bobby Wheeler (9-5) at Ascot 1m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Toboggan's Fire 13-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Aug beating The Third Man (9-9) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Sark (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, ridden on inside and struggling well over 2f out, never a factor, 9th of 14, 12 3/4l behind Poet's Word (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp stks (3) gf in Jul.