held up, in touch, not clear run over 1f out, soon went 2nd, no chance with easy winner
mid-division, shaken up when not much room briefly 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, lost place 3f out, rallied 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up, headway and ran wide entering straight, stayed on same pace final furlong
prominent, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakening entering final furlong
slowly into stride, pushed along early in rear, hard ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
led 1f, chased leader until over 4f out, weakening when not much room on inside over 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 5f out, behind when ran wide on bend over 2f out
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted well inside final furlong
mid-division, smooth headway 4f out, led on bit well over 1f out, very easily
held up towards rear, switched right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
Stretton looks the value call in the finale; the list of dangers is headed by Elopement and Ainama. The selection has a good draw and this course does tend to bring out the best in him. He has now won here four times and as he has also won with cut in the ground he does make plenty of appeal. Elopement has been in good form and she is unpenalised for her win in an apprentice handicap last time so she has fairly obvious claims. Ainama hasn't been seen out since winning at Newmarket in July, but he was all-out to beat Seeking the Buck that day and he will need to have improved to make his mark this afternoon. Kyoto Summit is from a shrewd yard and is worth a look in the market, but for the winner we will stick with Stretton.
Kyoto Summit 10-1 (10-0) In rear, lost place over 3f out, 7th of 9, 20l behind Mister Arjay (9-6) at York 2m hcap (4) gf.
Stretton (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 8l behind Generous Jem (9-3) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcap (4) gf.
Prelude 4-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 7l behind Gee Dee Nen (10-0) at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Hue 15-2 (9-9) In touch, led over 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Casual Affair (9-1) at York 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Held up mid-division, ridden, effort on outside over 2f out, hung left, no impression approaching final furlong, 6th of 9, 10l behind Double Banded (8-6) at Redcar 1m 6f hcap (5) frm.
Merrymaker 10-1 (9-3) Started slowly, behind, pushed along over 5f out, short-lived effort over 4f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind Missoula (9-7) at Chester 2m hcap (4) gf.
Feeling (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Held up, eased over 3f out, virtually pulled up, last of 10, well behind Silver Suitor (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Colinette 40-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, still plenty to do over 2f out, strong run inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 13, nk behind Constant Cheers (9-3) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Red Chairman 18-1 (9-9) Led, soon clear, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 17, 5l behind Golden Groom (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcap (6) gf.
York Cliff 22-1 (8-13) Chased leader until ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 7, 15l behind Missoula (9-7) at Chester 2m hcap (4) gf.
Lake Wakatipu 14-1 (10-11) Always behind, 12th of 13, 29l behind Rare Coincidence (11-4) at Hamilton 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gf.
Ainama (IRE) 7-4fav (8-2) In touch, led over 2f out, soon ridden and edged left, stayed on well under pressure, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul beating Seeking The Buck (9-6) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Directa's Digger (IRE) (9-2) Driven to go 3rd on outside early, kept on at one pace straight, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Kick Hunter (8-13) at Krefeld 1m mdn stk gd in May.
Free To Air 20-1 (9-5) Held up, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 4l behind Double Doors (9-1) at Haydock 1m 4f hcap (4) gf.
Elopement (IRE) 4-1fav (9-13) Made all, ridden over 2f out, edged left final furlong, held on gamely, won at Hamilton 1m 3f app hcp (6) gs beating Tiger King (9-10) by a nk, 14 ran.
