mid-division, ridden 4f out, no impression when hung left well over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, ran on well
not much room soon after start, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression
led, headed over 2f out, soon not much room briefly, weakened inside final furlong
pulled hard, always behind
Grand Art gets the confident vote in the finale with Wise Little Girl and La Vecchia Scuola rating the main dangers. The selection has won his last two races in good style, notably when beating Old Romney last time out. Granted he has been done no favours by the draw but he is a hold-up performer and if he gets the breaks he would hold every chance. Wise Little Girl rates the main danger on her best form but those efforts have come on the all-weather and she looks opposable on that basis. La Vecchia Scuola is another with place claims on her latest second behind Double Banded but she has gone up 3lbs for getting beat and is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder, Milliegait is from a shrewd in-form yard and could go well at a price, while Golan Way is sure to strip fitter here than on his first run of the season, but the progressive Grand Art gets our vote.
Grand Art (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out and slightly outpaced, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Old Romney (9-7) by a nk, 9 ran.
Milliegait 9-2 (9-4) Towards rear, pushed along 3f out, no impression final 2f, 6th of 9, 10l behind La Vecchia Scuola (8-0) at Newcastle 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Aug.
Golan Way 33-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, held up in rear, rapid headway over 4f out, driven 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Shake On It (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Wise Little Girl 14-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, tracked leader for 3f, settled 3rd, ridden and not quicken 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 4l behind Good Effect (8-9) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Distiller (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 8l behind Shake On It (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, last of 10, 16l behind Beau Sancy (9-7) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (5) hvy in Jul.
La Vecchia Scuola (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 8, nk behind Double Banded (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Grethel (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Towards rear, switched left and headway 2f out, ran on final furlong to lead post, won at Beverley 1m stk 0-55 (6) gf beating Monsieur Dumas (8-12) by a hd, 15 ran.
