chased leaders to halfway far side
prominent far side, led after 1f, headed halfway, soon beaten
prominent far side, pushed along halfway weakened final furlong
held up stands side, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, stands side, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch stands side, led halfway, headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
prominent far side group, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on gamely
in touch far side, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division stands side, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
never better than mid-division stands side
prominent far side, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
never dangerous far side
never better than mid-division far side group
switched right to race stands side after 1f, led, headed halfway soon beaten
prominent stands side, led group over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders to halfway far side
in touch stands side, ridden to lead group over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders far side, pushed along halfway, ridden and no extra final furlong
in touch far side, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders stands side, driven over 2f out, stayed on final furlong to lead group inside final furlong
Top Mark is well treated racing off a 3lb lower mark than when scoring on the Polytrack last time but may not be as good on turf and a safer bet in a tough finale looks to be Trafalgar Square, who gets the vote ahead of Rakata. The last mentioned opened his account when landing a Salisbury maiden earlier this month and may be open to more improvement than most of these. Kevin Ryan's Wigwam Willie should handle the ground conditions and is of more interest than Karl Burke's Orphan, who is probably a shade high in the weights at present. A market move for the reappearing Exponential would be of great interest on ground that suits ideally, while Wavertree Warrior is a consistent type and should again be thereabouts. Ingleton has claims if handling the ground but a safer bet looks to be Trafalgar Square, who seems to handle cut in the ground perfectly well, remains feasibly well treated and has the assistance of a very capable apprentice.
Countdown 40-1 (8-10) Outpaced, 16th of 17, 10l behind Green Manalishi (9-2) at Haydock 5f hcp (2) gs in Sept.
Exponential (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) With leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn aut (E) gd in Aug '04 beating Star Duster (8-2) by 1l, 15 ran.
Orphan (IRE) 9-2 (7-13) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, not pace to challenge, 7th of 8, 7l behind King's Gait (8-3) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Trafalgar Square 7-2 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Spirit of France (8-5) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Tsaroxy (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 11l behind Prime Number (9-3) at Hamilton 1m hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Led to over 3f out, hung right and weakened rapidly soon afterwards, tailed off, last of 11, 37l behind Sri Diamond (9-2) at Goodwood 1m stk 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.
Wigwam Willie (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Blonde Streak (8-10) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Malinsa Blue (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Always behind, 19th of 20, well behind Krugerrand (8-13) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
She's My Outsider 8-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway on outside to chase leading pair 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 7l behind Dhaular Dhar (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Dream Tonic 25-1 (8-9) Always in rear division, 16th of 19, 16l behind Le Chiffre (8-7) at Pontefract 1m 3yo clm (5) gd.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 25-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, stayed on to chase winner inside final 2f, no impression, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Adoration (8-0) at Epsom 1m 1f 3yo hcp (3) gs.
Ingleton 9-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon faded, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Angel Sprints (9-4) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Deeday Bay (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 3f out, chased winner well over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Mystic Man (9-6) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol.
Elsie Hart (IRE) 28-1 (8-9) Always behind, 14th of 15, 18l behind Rising Shadow (9-4) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Lincolneurocruiser 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 16, 5l behind Swinbrook (9-4) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Veneer (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Started slowly, always behind, 10th of 12, 11l behind Aggravation (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 3yo clm (5) pol in Jul.
Rakata (USA) 9-2fav (8-11) Prominent, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden clear, won at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn fll (5) gd beating Sincerely (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Word Perfect 66-1 (8-10) Switched to race stand's side group, in rear, ridden and hung left from 2f out, never dangerous, 13th of 18, 10l behind Balakiref (8-7) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sept.
Top Mark 7-1 (8-6) Raced wide, prominent, led just over 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept beating Hayyani (8-8) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Tom Forest 17-2 (8-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 15th of 19, 13l behind Le Chiffre (8-7) at Pontefract 1m 3yo clm (5) gd.
Dancing Rose (IRE) 13-2fav (8-12) Always towards rear, never nearer, 12th of 17, 10l behind High Bray (8-7) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Graze On 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, led just over 2f out, pressed final furlong, held on well final 50 yards, won at Bath 6f 3yo clm (6) gf beating Casterossa (8-6) by a nk, 18 ran.
