took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and no impression when edged left inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
tracked leading pair, went 2nd before halfway, challenged final furlong, stayed on gamely to lead well inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, kept on same pace final 2f
soon in mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
held up in touch, pushed along in 4th on inside over 2f out, plugged on same pace
led and set steady pace, joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
stated slowly, held up towards rear, never involved
tracked leader until approaching halfway, chased leading pair, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on well in closing stages, not quite pace to challenge
steadied and switched left start, held up in rear, headway on outside 2f out, plugged on same pace
last pair, never a factor
Nonrunner
King Muro has won his last two over hurdles, the latest at Worcester on Tuesday, but he can be a tricky ride and hasn't raced on the Flat for almost two years. Mr Fickle won over hurdles in May and has won his last two on the all-weather but Kirtling didn't have much to beat at Leicester back in June. ROYAL HISTORY looks on a high enough mark on his handicap debut but he ran his best race so far over this trip at Kempton in the spring and has more scope than these. This may be on the sharp side for Serenity Now and useful hurdler Starluck while Sweetheart Abbey has never won on Turf.
Royal History 9-4fav (9-12) Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Cryptonym (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Aug.
Starluck (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, headway on heels of leaders when not much room before 3 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, soon one pace and no impression, left in modest 3rd last, 3rd of 11, 10 1/4l behind Cloonacool (10-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Sweetheart Abbey 9-2fav (10-0) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Saumur (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp fll (5) pol in Aug.
Celestial Bay 9-2 (9-7) Awkwardly away behind, never near leaders, 5th of 6, 10 1/4l behind Dumbfounded (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Serenity Now (IRE) 9-4fav (9-9) Held up, steady headway from over 1f out, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, stayed on but never quite reaching winner, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Kodicil (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Golden Jubilee (USA) 10-1 (8-13) Led for about 2f, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Felix Fabulla (9-3) at Ffos Las 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Majestic Sun (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always in rear, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Zip Top (11-5) at Fakenham 2m mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Mr Fickle (IRE) 3-1fav (10-3) Tracked clear leader, close up over 4f out, effort 2f out, soon ridden, led narrowly over, kept on gamely under pressure final furlong, just held on, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Aug beating Charlies Mate (9-10) by nk, 8 ran.
Kirtling 8-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, headway chasing leaders 4f out, led over 3f out, pushed clear final furlong, eased near finish, won at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jun beating Medieval Bishop (9-4) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Noor Al Haya (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, never near leaders, 10th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Snow Conditions (9-6) at Bath 2m 1f hcp (6) fm in Aug.
King Muro 5-2fav (11-2) Behind, smooth headway after 4 out, led after next, clear when not fluent last, ran on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Gin And Tonic (11-0) by 14l, 8 ran.
