tracked leaders, went 2nd 7f out, led 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on gamely
close up, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, pushed along and headed 2f out, kept on one pace
steadied start, in touch, headway to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
slowly away, keen in touch in rear, pushed along 2f out, not trouble leaders
tracked leader, tracked leaders 7f out, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Mustazeed will handle conditions better than most and did place over track and trip less than a year ago. But Certain Lad ended a long losing run at York two weeks ago and probably has the beating of Harry Eustace’s charge on an earlier run together at Newbury. MAXIMILIAN CAESAR boasts two wins and a second from three previous runs here and is back in a handicap after running in a Group 3 at Newmarket last time. He’s preferred to Faylaq, who hasn’t won in more than four years, and the disappointing Auld Toon Loon but it would be no surprise to see the evergreen Euchen Glen play a part given he’ll be staying on when others have cried enough.
Certain Lad 9-2 (9-10) Always prominent, led over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, in command inside final 100 yards, won at York 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct beating La Yakel (9-9) by 2l, 12 ran.
Euchen Glen 40-1 (9-6) Steadied and switched right start, held up well in rear, headway and plugged on in modest 4th over 1f out, 4th of 8, 5l behind Al Qareem (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Bill Silvers 20-1 (8-13) Held up in 6th, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 7 1/4l behind My Prospero (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 2f lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Mustazeed (IRE) 3-1jfav (8-13) Slowly away and dwelt, in rear, struggling 3f out, stayed on strongly final 100 yards, never on terms, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Balance Play (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Faylaq 50-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, raced near side, held up towards rear, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 12th of 34, 3 3/4l behind Astro King (9-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Bucephalus (GER) 7-4fav (9-8) Led and soon raced keenly, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Splendent (9-6) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (4) sft in May.
Maximilian Caesar (IRE) 22-1 (9-1) Tracked leader in centre group and keen, pushed along as groups merged 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Highland Avenue (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Auld Toon Loon (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Prominent, shaken up to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 7, 5 3/4l behind Chriszoff (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Sep.