mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace 2f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never troubled leaders
soon led, headed well over 2f out, outpaced by front pair over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, lost 3rd near finish
in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
held up in last pair, outpaced 3f out, never involved
led early, pressed leader, led again well over 2f out, soon ridden, edged right inside final 2f, stayed on well inside final furlong
mid-division on outside, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, never near leaders
in touch, headway on inside over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace, no impression when lost place inside final furlong
towards rear, driven over 2f out, switched outside and headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure inside final furlong, took 3rd near finish, no impression with front pair
mid-division, headway under pressure on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase winner well inside final furlong, held near finish
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a threat
in touch on outside, ridden 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never near leaders
towards rear on outside, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, never dangerous
YOU'RE HIRED goes well fresh as he showed last summer and has a course victory to his credit so he's given a tentative vote in a competitive heat despite a long absence. Rotherwick has gained reward for his consistency with two victories this summer though Interconnection, who he beat at Yarmouth last time, has enough pull in the weights to reverse the form. Fire Tree battled on well over slightly shorter at Ascot to complete a double and shouldn't be inconvenienced by the slightly longer trip or the going. It's a while since Spring Offensive won but he's invariably thereabouts at this sort of level and should be in the shake-up. Clifford Lee has been on board for both of Born To Be Alive's run and his mount makes his handicap debut after a facile victory in a maiden at Ayr. Storm King has won twice at Chester recently so this track should hold no terrors while Balmoral Castle looked on the way back behind Fire Tree at Ascot and though not the most consistent would have a chance at his best.
Bancnuanaheireann (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Fanciful Angel (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in May.
You're Hired 8-11fav (8-11) Close up, headway 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on, won at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (2) gf in Sep beating Theydon Grey (8-7) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Spring Offensive (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Chased leaders on outside, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Crowning Glory (9-13) at Pontefract 1m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Interconnection 9-2 (10-0) Led, hard ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Rotherwick (9-10) at Yarmouth 1m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Rotherwick (IRE) 15-2 (9-10) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Yarmouth 1m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Interconnection (10-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Storm Ahead (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, wide and effort over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Murad Khan (9-12) at Windsor 1m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Storm King 12-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, challenged over 3f out, led over 2f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well, in command close home, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Theos Lolly (9-7) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Balmoral Castle 12-1 (9-10) Held up in stands side group, switched right and headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, ran on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Fire Tree (9-3) at Ascot 1m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Magic City (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Raced wide close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 9 1/2l behind Sands Chorus (9-8) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Fast Dancer (IRE) 3-1fav (10-0) In touch, headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ridden out, won at Bath 1m hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Zlatan (10-0) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Boots And Spurs 14-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Lord Of The Rock (9-10) at York 1m hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Born To Be Alive (IRE) 1-2fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 2f out, hung right and pushed clear clear final furlong, won at Ayr 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Jun beating Lamloom (9-3) by 8l, 7 ran.
Retrieve (AUS) 40-1 (11-12) Raced wide, held up in touch, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Theo (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
In The Red (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Edged right start, tracked leader in centre group, merged to join stands side group 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Fire Tree (9-3) at Ascot 1m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Fire Tree (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Tracked leader in centre group, merged to join stands side group 4f out, ridden and edged slightly left over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Ascot 1m hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Brilliant Vanguard (9-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Morning Suit (USA) 20-1 (8-7) Held up in mid-division, stayed far side in straight and soon chasing leaders, disputing lead and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Good Omen (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Jufn 14-1 (9-7) Led and soon clear with one other until headed over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Silver Ghost (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Surrey Hope (USA) 9-4fav (9-9) Raced centre keen tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Rigoletto (9-1) at Newmarket 1m hcp (4) gs in Jun.
