tracked leader, keen early, switched right to challenge over 1f out, soon weakened
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear but in touch, headway over 1f out, rider soon lost whip, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
held up in rear but in touch, reminders over 4f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly
tracked leader, raced keenly, led over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
A disappointing turn out of just five for what is a cracking handicap and a trappy one at that, and we will side with MIRRORED to come back to form for Sir Michael Stoute, while most of the other four have some sort of claim. The selection is stepped up to 1m 2f for only the second time, and there was plenty of encouragement from the way he handled the trip when tried at Goodwood in July, when just collared by Roman Republic close to home. Fast ground suits and those of us preparing to wager will simply have to put a line through a very flat effort at York last time and take the plunge. Hollow Green has been well placed by David Evans to win three of her last four and she has rocketed through the weights as a result. She had to work hard enough to score over this trip on soft ground last time, but she is not one to dismiss lightly from just 5lbs higher. Another interesting contender is Kaolak, who comes here seeking a hat-trick and is upped 3lbs for a narrow Goodwood win over a mile. Fast ground suits, though despite his pedigree and great recent form he does still have to prove that he gets home over this far. Mutamaashi has more of a solid profile than a particularly eyecatching one, but he is likely to get involved, while Goliaths Boy might just be found wanting. Mirrored can return to winning ways.
Mirrored 4-1fav (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 17th of 19, 20l behind Roaring Forte (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Kaolak (USA) 9-2 (10-0) Close up, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Truism (9-7) by ns, 9 ran.
Mutamaashi 85-40 (9-2) Held up, headway on inside from over 1f out, switched right, ridden, ran on inside final furlong, gaining on winner towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Bab Al Salam (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Hollow Green (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, smooth headway on outer from 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug beating Shaloo Diamond (10-0) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Goliaths Boy (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 1/2l behind Embsay Crag (8-0) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
