steadied start, held up disputing close 4th, ridden 2f out, no impression, plugged on into well held 3rd final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up disputing close 4th, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leading pair, traveling well 3f out, 2nd approaching final 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, stayed on well
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon lost 2nd, no chance with leading duo when lost 3rd final furlong
Fitzwilly has won over the course and distance but is 7lb out of the handicap while last year's winner Kashgar is running poorly and was well beaten at Thirsk on Friday. Rhombus is a soft-ground specialist and had conditions to suit at Nottingham last time for which a 3lb rise isn't excessive. However, GALE FORCE (NAP), who finished third and was staying on strongly over that 1m6f, had been handed an 11lb rise for an easy victory over this trip at Kempton on her previous start so with further progress likely and the distance to suit she can return to winning ways. Shades of Silver has won five of his 15 starts and could hardly be in better form having overcome a 10lb rise for a facile victory at Nottingham to complete a double at Kempton. He's up another 6lb here and this is a better class event.
Rhombus (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Slowly away in rear, headway on outer 7f out, tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2f, joined inside final furlong, ran on, won at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (3) sft in Aug beating Kinema (9-10) by hd, 13 ran.
Shades of Silver 7-4fav (9-7) Led 2f, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, led again over 1f out, ran on, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Jun beating King Calypso (9-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Kashgar 7-2fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, one pace over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Wordiness (8-5) at Chester 2m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Gale Force 3-1fav (9-1) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Rhombus (10-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Fitzwilly 12-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, one pace entering final furlong, 4th of 9, 9 3/4l behind The Cashel Man (8-5) at Newmarket 2m hcp (3) gf in Aug.