towards rear, pushed along halfway, never on terms
towards rear, driven and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden when weakening over 1f out
led, driven along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
towards rear, never dangerous
steadied at start, held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, driven halfway, soon behind
towards rear, effort over 2f out, never near to challenge
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
Several hold chances, but a chance is taken with Helm Bank, who deserves a change of fortune and is fancied to confirm his superiority over St Andrews and Another Bottle. Any support for Sabbeeh will also be noteworthy, as he was a winner on this card a couple of seasons ago and obviously likes this time of year. He has yet to really prove himself over a mile but did shape encouragingly enough at Goodwood last month to be given an each-way chance. Another Bottle goes well in these big fields and can help to ensure a strong pace. He has shot up the rating this term though and will need to post a career best effort today. St Andrews should like the ground and can be expected to be in the thick of the action if he runs his race, while the likes of Stronghold, Polar Magic and Royal Island are others that are likely to be popular choices in the betting. Which will all help to build the price on Helm Bank, who has all the correct attributes to give a us a good run for the money this afternoon.
Mine (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Held up last, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 10, 11l behind Layman (8-7) at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
St Andrews (IRE) 6-1 Behind until good headway 2f out, 4th of 14, 5l behind Jubilation at Ovrevoll 1m 1f stk gd in Aug.
Helm Bank 16-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Layman (8-7) at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Sabbeeh (USA) 11-2 (9-8) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, led again 1f out, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Serre Chevalier (9-0) at Goodwood 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
My Paris 20-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, no impression, 12th of 19, 5l behind Momtic (9-6) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Another Bottle (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Held up rear stand's side group, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, won at Newbury 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul beating Moonlight Man (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Stronghold 7-4fav (9-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, hung left and led inside final furlong, easily, won at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Boo (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cimyla (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Prominent, led over 2f out to well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 17, 3l behind Momtic (8-4) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Kamanda Laugh 14-1 (8-4) Behind, effort on wide outside and driven over 2f out, not reach leaders, 11th of 18, 6l behind Unshakable (8-1) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Zilch 14-1 (9-8) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 15, 6l behind Marshman (8-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Mutawaffer 20-1 (9-4) Towards rear far side, ran on final furlong, never near to challenge, 7th of 23, 8l behind Ice Planet (8-7) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Aug.
Polar Magic 4-1fav (8-2) Held up in touch stands' side, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 13th of 24, 8l behind New Seeker (9-4) at Newbury 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Royal Island (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Ridden and edged left over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Haydock 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug beating Khanjar (8-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Kings Point (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) With leader, raced centre over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 11, 2l behind Arakan (9-0) at York 7f lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
Capable Guest (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Always behind, 13th of 18, 13l behind Granston (8-11) at Ripon 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
