led, not fluent and headed 4th, led again narrowly after next, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
tracked leader, led narrowly 4th until after next, with leader, led again after 3 out, blundered next, headed when ridden between last 2, no chance with winner flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd when hit 2 out, led between last 2, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, readily
close up in rear, tracked leaders 3 out, ridden into 3rd before next, soon outpaced, no chance with front pair before last
HIGHLAND BOBBY opened his account over timber on his first start after wind surgery and debut for Olly Murphy’s yard. He’s taken to defy a penalty with further progress on the cards. Archimento finished in front of Guns of Leros over 1m6f on the Flat last month and has had just the one start over hurdles. Both are rated higher on the level than Prancing Oscar but the latter ran well for third at Stratford on his hurdling debut while Thaqaffa has placed in both starts over timber so far, though never threatened on either occasion.
Highland Bobby 3-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in 4th, good headway into 3rd and edged left after 3 out, 2nd travelling well before next, led before last, driven clear, won at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Jul beating Ballard Down (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Archimento 9-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, effort between horses over 1f out, ridden and every chance when rider dropped rein inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Emenem (9-1) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Prancing Oscar (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, one pace and held before last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Some Day Soon (11-13) at Stratford 2m (3) gd in Jul.
Thaqaffa (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) In rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Mandarin (9-8) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Guns of Leros (USA) 50-1 (8-0) Last pair, closer in mid-division 11f out, weakened, 18th of 19, 28l behind Timoshenko (8-0) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Maytheorsebewithu (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, pressing for 4th at the 6th, well beaten from 3 out, 6th of 7, 30 3/4l behind Shut The Box (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) gs in Mar.
