Tarboosh is only a pound higher than when landing this 12 months ago and this is his time of year. He was cantering all over Copper Knight at Musselburgh last time and, though the runner-up is 5lb better off, should confirm that running. But it may be significant that Paul Midgley has booked Paul Hanagan for stablemate ORVAR, who is also a course and distance winner and had several of these behind when third last time at York behind a couple of improving three-year-olds. A Momentofmadness came within half-a-length of a second successive victory in the Portland here last month so is another to consider while Danzeno never seems to run a bad race. Makanah is definitely worth a market check and Came From The Dark is making giant strides so also goes on the shortlist.
Mr Lupton (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Mid-division far side, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, never able to challenge, weakened inside final furlong, 20th of 24, 7 1/4l behind Angel Alexander (8-13) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Danzeno 12-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, every chance when hung left over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 22, 1l behind Gulliver (9-5) at York 6f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Tarboosh 10-11fav (9-5) Steadied start, tracked leaders, switched right over 1f out, shaken up to lead on bit inside final furlong, pushed out (hand time), won at Musselburgh 5f stks (3) sft in Oct beating Copper Knight (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Copper Knight (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, pushed along to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Tarboosh (9-5) at Musselburgh 5f stks (3) sft in Oct.
A Momentofmadness 9-1 (8-13) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 22, 1/2l behind Oxted (9-7) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Good Effort (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Raced keenly, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Cape Byron (9-2) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Makanah 8-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Count D'Orsay (9-0) at Catterick 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Princes Des Sables 14-1 (8-9) Chased leader, lost place over 2f out, 8th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Dakota Gold (9-2) at York 6f lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
Came From The Dark (IRE) 9-2fav (9-3) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, headway near side of group under pressure edging right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, pressed winner to the line, just held, 2nd of 17, nk behind Pendleton (8-12) at Ascot 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Orvar (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, pushed along and hung left halfway, ridden over 1f out, kept on in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 22, 4 1/4l behind Moss Gill (9-6) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Saaheq 10-3fav (9-9) Towards rear, not much room 2f out, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Samovar (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Four Wheel Drive 20-1 (8-10) Tracked winner far side, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Count D'Orsay (9-0) at Catterick 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Holmeswood 11-1 (9-6) Chased leaders far side of group, weakened 2f out, 17th of 22, 12 1/4l behind Moss Gill (9-6) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Foolaad 25-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, 21st of 22, 16 1/2l behind Moss Gill (9-6) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Savalas (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Led, strongly pressed 2f out, kept on well until headed approaching final furlong, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 22, 4 3/4l behind Moss Gill (9-6) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Thegreatestshowman 25-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Total Commitment (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Tawny Port 14-1 (8-11) Led until 2f out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 17, 4 1/4l behind Pendleton (8-12) at Ascot 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Fairy Stories 9-4fav (9-1) Raced keenly, always prominent, led well over 1f out, held on well, won at Redcar 5f hcp (4) hvy in Oct beating Jewel Maker (8-8) by nk, 7 ran.
Dark Shot 22-1 (8-7) In touch far side, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Count D'Orsay (9-0) at Catterick 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
