led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd place last 75 yards
tracked leaders in 3rd place, led over 1f out, soon clear, easily
close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden to go 3rd over 1f out, chased winner last 75 yards, no impression
A disappointing turnout for what is a quite valuable prize. The tough Demons Rock has won his last four and will probably start favourite. He had John Kirkup almost five lengths behind last time at York on the same terms but that only tells half the story. Michael Dods’ charge was hampered leaving the stalls and trapped behind a wall of horses at the furlong pole when full of running. This is a stiffer test and genuine soft ground can be a real leveller so it’s not impossible that the form will be reversed. SHABAABY is the least exposed of these and bolted up in soft going at Newmarket last month. He’d finished third behind a couple of subsequent Group 3 winners on his debut at Salisbury and looks a nice prospect. Beatbox Rhythm had every chance at this trip in the Acomb at York so is no forlorn hope.
Beatbox Rhythm (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 11l behind Wells Farhh Go (9-1) at York 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Aug.
Shabaaby 9-4 (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, led entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 6f stks (4) sft in Aug beating Travelcard (9-3) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Demons Rock (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, held on well near finish, won at York 6f (2) gs in Aug beating Queen's Sargent (8-0) by hd, 17 ran.
John Kirkup 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, took 4th near finish, not trouble front trio, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Demons Rock (9-2) at York 6f (2) gs in Aug.
