chased leader, tried to get on near side rail halfway, soon no room and switched left, every chance over 1f out, lost 2nd and weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders on outside, not clear run on near side rail over 2f out until gap opened inside final furlong, ran on well to lead towards finish
slight stumble start, led, came to near side rail in straight, hung left off rail inside final furlong, headed towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd and chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up 5th, stayed on into 3rd close home
DESERT FROST probably deserves a change of luck having gone close the last twice in handicaps at Hamilton and Ayr. He’s still creeping up the weights but Rossa Ryan’s claim will help on that score. Ashpan Sam and Highland Acclaim are real course specialists having won seven races between them around here. David Drinkwater’s top weight is probably the pick of that pair at the weights today and will take advantage if the Godolphin gelding is not on his game. Handytalk and Mont Kiara are both struggling at present.
Ashpan Sam 8-1 (9-7) Raced alone far side overall leader until halfway, ridden and weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 5 1/4l behind Summerghand (9-12) at Newmarket 6f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Desert Frost (IRE) 7-2 (10-6) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Militia (9-5) at Ayr 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Highland Acclaim (IRE) 15-2 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, 9th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Dalton (9-0) at Redcar 6f hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Handytalk (IRE) 25-1 (9-12) Led and set decent pace, ridden over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 5th of 9, 5l behind Peak Princess (10-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Mont Kiara (FR) 20-1 (9-3) Broke well, soon restrained towards and raced keenly, headway to track leaders 3f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, gradually weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Lady Freyja (9-5) at Newmarket 6f hcp (4) gs in Aug.