Hyperfocus is 5lb lower than when scoring at Ripon at the start of the season but he was a length behind Gweedore at York less than two weeks ago, though well ahead of both It Just Takes Time and Magical Spirit. Roman Dragon is something of a Chester specialist but Fast Response has been highly tried this year and was a good sixth in the Ayr Gold Cup on her only run in a handicap this term. MONSIEUR KODI (NAP) ploughed through the Goodwood mud to land the Stewards’ Cup consolation and hasn’t done an awful lot wrong since. Back on soft going at Goodwood latest, he was only beaten a head off today’s mark and won’t be far away again.
Fast Response (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, never on terms after, 7th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Funny Story (9-2) at Newmarket 6f lst fll stks (1) sft in Oct.
Tacarib Bay 8-1 (9-8) In touch, ridden and edged right over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 17th of 20, 9 3/4l behind Johan (9-8) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Gweedore 22-1 (9-8) Led stands side, every chance over 1f out, 3rd and held final 100 yards, kept on, 3rd of 22, 3 1/2l behind Montassib (9-9) at York 6f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Roman Dragon 4-1 (9-9) Midfield, ridden over 2f out, soon edged right, kept on one approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Democracy Dilemma (9-9) at Chester 5f hcp (3) hvy in Sep.
Magical Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders stands side, lost place over 2f out, last of 22, 19 1/2l behind Montassib (9-9) at York 6f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Hyperfocus (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Led far side, headed over 1f out, held inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Montassib (9-9) at York 6f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
It Just Takes Time (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Prominent stands side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 17th of 22, 14 1/2l behind Montassib (9-9) at York 6f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Zip 20-1 (9-5) In touch on outer, pressed leaders well over 2f out, ridden and every chance 1f out, gradually faded, 7th of 17, 3 1/4l behind Aphelios (9-9) at York 7f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Monsieur Kodi (IRE) 10-3fav (9-4) Chased leaders far side of group, ridden to lead inside final furlong, hung left under pressure and headed final strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Gisburn (9-5) at Goodwood 6f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Bay Breeze 80-1 (9-7) Led near side group until over 4f out, well beaten by other groups final 2f, 22nd of 25, 17 1/4l behind Wobwobwob (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.