held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, challenged and every chance over 1f out, kept on and no chance with winner
tracked leader in 3rd, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
This looks wide-open as Champagne Champ, who has shown notable improvement for softer ground, will need to find more to complete a course and distance hat-trick. FELIX FABULLA won easily over track and trip last month before finding 2m too far back on the Polytrack. He can take this as though Spiritoftomintoul was knocking on the door in the spring, he's returning from an absence here as is Royal Warranty. Karraar would be a danger to all if able to recapture the form he showed when completing a double in the summer but he disappointed last time.
Spiritoftomintoul 14-1 (9-7) Slowly away in rear, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Craggaknock (9-0) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in May.
Karraar 6-1 (8-5) In rear, headway towards far side, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never on terms, 6th of 15, 11l behind Wadi Al Hattawi (9-10) at Newmarket 1m 5f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Felix Fabulla 7-2fav (9-12) Tracked leader, hard driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Gang Warfare (9-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Deinonychus 9-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, went 2nd 10f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, dist behind Triple Dip (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Royal Warranty 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, no impression, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Injun Sands (8-10) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Champagne Champ 5-4fav (9-13) Chased leaders, led 3f out, drew clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Ffos Las 1m 4f hcp (6) hvy in Aug beating Duc de Seville (8-10) by 5l, 7 ran.
Groor 25-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Laurence (8-12) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Aug.