held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression until kept on final furlong, never nearer
keen, held up, ridden and some headway 2f out, soon weakened
made all, driven clear over 1f out, unchallenged
tracked winner until over 3f out
tracked leaders, chased winner over 3f out, driven and no impression from over 1f out
raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 4f out
held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd well inside final furlong, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway to go 3rd well over 1f out, soon driven along, lost 3rd towards finish
SAGUNT can defy top-weight status to land the finale, but we'll include Squad and Dove Cottage on the shortlist. A seven pound claimer on board keeps Sagunt competitive, who returns to flat racing following an unsuccessful spell hurdling. Three wins and a runners up spot in his last four flat races is a good standard to set. There are no doubts about trip or ground, and he ticks more boxes than any of his rivals. Squad's form is nearly as good; two wins and two seconds in his last four outings have seen him pay his way, and it could become a duel between the two of them at the head of the market and on the track. His wins have been over slightly shorter trips than this, which is why preference is for Sagunt. Dove Cottage drops in grade, after going without a win in nine outings since May. His wins have been over slightly shorter, but having posted his best effort for a while last time out when a runner-up at Goodwood, he must be considered as a contender. However our selection in the lucky last is Sagunt.
Sagunt (GER) 15-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, led 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, won at Chepstow 1m 4f am hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Jul beating Arab League (10-4) by 3l, 16 ran.
Evident Pride (USA) 20-1 (9-13) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway and hung right approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Brief Look (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Dove Cottage (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Soon led, headed over 1f out, ridden inside last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Trachonitis (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Madam President 25-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, not much room over 2f out, ridden when not clear run over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 10l behind Chalice Welcome (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Vinces 5-1 (9-4) Dwelt, soon recovered to chase leaders, driven along and outpaced 2f out, rallied under pressure inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Recalcitrant (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Aug.
Sufad 25-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, 14l behind Mykingdomforahorse (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Squad 2-1fav (9-5) Held up in rear, switched right to outer and headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Brighton 1m 2f app hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep beating Triple Cee (8-7) by nk, 8 ran.
Rough Sketch (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Keen early, tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 21l behind Chalice Welcome (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Good Buy Dubai (USA) 5-1 (9-2) Held up behind until ridden and kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 12, 9l behind Tinkerbelle (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Channel Crossing 33-1 (10-2) Led, headed 3f out, ridden 2f out and soon weakened, 7th of 14, 15l behind No Wonga (10-3) at Haydock 1m 4f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf in Sep.
