The mud-loving City Escape is seeking a hat-trick of course and distance victories and shouldn’t be far away again. Gavin is a fascinating runner having been in good form over hurdles but, in a tricky opener, the vote goes to LHEBAYEB who has won twice at Bath this year and appeared to handle soft going on his only previous try on the surface. Marmara Star has never raced on Turf and could find conditions here too testing.
Zuraig 18-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 2nd, went clear before 3 out, reduced lead and headed before next, weakened soon after, 5th of 6, 17 1/2l behind Gavin (12-0) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
City Escape (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Dwelt start, in rear, headway going well on inside final furlong, ridden to lead narrowly final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in Sep beating Khangai (9-5) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Vitalline 40-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, raced freely, led 10f out, clear 6f out until over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Saligo Bay (9-7) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (4) gf in May.
Marmara Star 9-4fav (9-9) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Hourless (8-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Star Of Mayo 50-1 (8-13) In touch in mid-division, hanging badly left over 3f out, soon got behind, last of 11, dist behind Unlimited (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Lhebayeb (GER) 11-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway between horses over 1f out, ridden and stayed on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Mount Olympus (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Crossbeau (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, soon recovered and led, headed over 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Lechro (9-13) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Gavin 6-1 (11-8) In rear, pushed along off pace home turn, stayed on strongly from last in distant 2nd, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Max Of Stars (10-8) at Stratford 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
