slowly into stride, tracked leader after 1f, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, joined entering final furlong, driven and headed inside final furlong, kept on
in rear, effort over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, soon hung left, straightened and led inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
in rear, ridden 3f out, never trouble leaders
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
Mick's Dancer has been in good form of late, winning three of his last four starts, and Willie Muir's gelding has not been harshly punished by the handicapper being able to race off just a 3lb higher mark than last time today but it is hard to get away from ORDONEY, who gets verdict ahead of Master Fong. The last mentioned is one of four last time out winners in the field and the Barry Hills-trained gelding has to be respected off just a 3lb higher mark than when successful at Sandown last time. Marcus Tregoning's Sahaal is another that won on his most recent start but this looks tougher than the maiden that he won at Bath, although there may be more to come over the longer trip today. Ian Wood's Saltagioo is another that was successful on his most recent start but he is likely to struggle back in a handicap having won a claimer at Sandown on his most recent outing. Summer Winds has been running consistently well of late and he has to be strongly considered for Terry Mills but he has been beaten off the same mark that he races off today in his last two starts and may have to settle for a place again. The vote then goes to Luca Cumani's lightly raced Ordoney, who won his second start in a Redcar maiden by a nose over an inadequate seven furlongs before losing no caste in defeat on his handicap debut at Sandown last month when a close up third behind Prince Of Johanne. Racing off just a 1lb higher mark today, Ordoney is taken to open his account in this grade.
Summer Winds 5-1 (9-5) Keen, tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 4th of 9, 4l behind Ethics Girl (8-4) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Saltagioo (ITY) 4-1 (9-2) Raced keenly, in touch, progress to take narrow lead 2f out, soon ridden, edged right inside final furlong, held on, won at Sandown 1m clm stks (5) gd in Jul beating Fremen (9-2) by nk, 7 ran.
Mick's Dancer 5-1 (9-10) Made all, pushed along and in command over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug beating Bold Cross (10-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Shannersburg (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 19l behind Summon Up Theblood (9-0) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in May '08.
Ordoney (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) Soon tracked leaders, chased leader over 3f out, driven inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Prince Of Johanne (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Watergate (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Eastern Aria (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug.
Master Fong (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, trying to squeeze through, kept in touch from over 1f out until got through inside final furlong, driven to lead towards finish, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug beating Nawaadi (9-6) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Ethics Girl (IRE) 14-1 (8-1) Held up in rear, switched to outside over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 12, 13l behind Eastern Aria (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug.
Sahaal (USA) 5-2 (9-3) In touch, steady headway on inside over 3f out, chased leader inside final 3f, challenged over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead final 75 yards, won at Bath 1m mdn stks (5) fm in Aug beating Bended Knee (8-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Palacefield (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Pegasus Again (9-9) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
