close up, headway and every chance 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, joined 4f out, headed 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway on inner over 2f out, ran on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no threat to winner
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ridden clear
held up, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
slowly away behind, never on terms
held up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong
MENGLI KHAN returned from a lay-off with a three-length success at Kempton. He’s 6lb higher but should be a fresh horse and can continue to progress in this tougher contest. Higher Power won a Class 4 handicap at Kempton back in June but Rex Bell has the more recent form with a second at Haydock. Jacob Cats was placed at Ascot last time and can race off the same mark while Flight Officer and Pinzolo have come up short at this level so far. Southdown Lad won in testing ground at Newbury last month and would welcome any rain.
Pinzolo 7-1 (10-0) Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon lost 2nd, one pace and no impression on leading duo, just won battle for modest 3rd, 3rd of 6, 5 3/4l behind Yorkidding (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Flight Officer 9-2fav (9-5) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, 11th of 14, 15 1/4l behind Snoano (9-4) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Missed Call (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Bess Of Hardwick (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp fll (2) gd in Sep.
Mengli Khan (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (3) pol in Sep beating Sam Missile (9-8) by 3l, 8 ran.
Higher Power 7-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders, driven to lead entering final furlong, ran on, readily, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Jun beating Life Less Ordinary (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Soldier In Action (FR) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, led after 1f, pushed along and headed 3f out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, behind and eased final furlong, last of 12, dist behind Dal Harraild (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Southdown Lad (IRE) 4-1 (8-6) Took keen hold, held up last, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden and stayed on strongly inside final furlong, eased near finish, won at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Sep beating Mainstream (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Jacob Cats 7-1 (9-7) Slowly away, in rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3nd near finish, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind William Hunter (9-4) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Rex Bell (IRE) 5-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, hung left from 2f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Lord Ben Stack (9-12) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Classic Villager 14-1 (9-13) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 16 1/4l behind Nietzsche (8-10) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Forth Bridge 8-1 (9-10) Tracked leader until halfway, chased leading pair until 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 4th of 5, 8 1/2l behind Yangtze (9-3) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
