tracked winner until over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, headway 10f out, ridden 3f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
held up, not much room over 2f out, no impression
led early, chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, no impression after
ridden leaving stalls, towards rear, driven 3f out, never threatened
made virtually all, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably
tracked leaders, 2nd briefly over 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, soon 2nd, no impression on winner from over 1f out
Bothe the Johnston horses like to go forward so it will be interesting to see which of Katebird and Alexander M are given the office here with both having shown good form of late. Innicastle Lad is another who likes to get involved off the front and all of that could lead to an overly strong pace here which would give the dangerously well-handicapped MODERNISM a chance of picking up the pieces if he returns to anything like his form. Outback Blue would also have to be considered in that scenario given that he usually blows the start and would have to come from off the pace so the stronger the better in pace terms for him.
Inniscastle Lad 11-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Mornington (8-12) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Royal Shaheen (FR) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 6 3/4l behind Weekend Offender (10-0) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Bahama Moon (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Soon led, headed after 2f, tracked leader, lost place when ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 13 3/4l behind Weekend Offender (10-0) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Modernism 22-1 (9-4) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never a factor, 11th of 14, 23 1/4l behind Berrahri (9-6) at Chester 1m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Outback Blue 6-1 (9-1) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Essenaitch (8-9) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Alexander M (IRE) 6-5fav (9-0) With winner, challenged over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 5, 1/4l behind Save The Bees (9-10) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Katebird (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Made all, driven clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Ripon 1m 2f hcp fll (4) gd in Aug beating Duck Egg Blue (8-12) by 3l, 7 ran.
Berlusca (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Slowly away, in rear, modest effort 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 7 1/4l behind High End (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
