midfield, weakened over 2f out
midfield, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened closing stages
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, soon tracking leader, badly hampered and lost place over 6f out, no danger after
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway approaching final furlong, never nearer
pressed leader until left in lead over 6f out, driven when headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
led, soon pressed, lost action and pulled up over 6f out
midfield, headway to chase leader over 5f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 5f out, kept on well closing stages
Erik The Red is progressing but takes a big step up in grade after two minor victories and is 5lb higher. Hakka has only raced at a mile and didn't get the run of the race at Wolverhampton last time. He's an obvious threat if staying the extra, though GOOD CONTACT will be difficult to beat. The Godolpin colt had been competing with credit at this level before dropping slightly in class and scoring over the course and distance. Star System has won three of his six races to date, including at Newbury last week, though he's going up two grades for this and is 9lb higher. Landwade Lad is ultra-consistent though his only success so far came on Polytrack.
Room Key 14-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders, ridden and no impression over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 8l behind Exosphere (8-5) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Good Contact (USA) 4-1 (9-7) Held up in mid-division, in touch, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, edged left, ridden clear, stayed on strongly, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Taraz (8-5) by 2l, 7 ran.
Hakka 8-11fav (9-3) Prominent, soon dropped into mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden 1f out, soon led, kept on, caught post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Intrude (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Sep.
Landwade Lad 6-4fav (8-12) Held up in 6th, headway on outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well, not quite get up, 2nd of 8, shd behind Majeed (9-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (3) pol in Sep.
Star System (USA) 4-1fav (8-13) Keen tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Sep beating Calm Attitude (9-8) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Haalan 16-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, 3 3/4l behind California (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp fll (3) gd in Sep.
Grigolo 9-2 (9-7) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 9l behind Mukhayyam (9-0) at Thirsk 1m (3) gs in Sep.
Erik The Red (FR) 5-2fav (9-7) In touch and keen, smooth headway over 1f out, soon not much room, stayed on strongly to lead towards finish, won at Beverley 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Stardrifter (9-1) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Darrington 11-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5 3/4l behind American Artist (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f stks (3) gd in Sep.
