held up towards rear, headway 2f out, unable to go with leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon led and started raced freely, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
chased leaders, raced keenly, every chance over 1f out, held when short of room well inside final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, went wrong 2f out and pulled up
mid-division, headway 2f out, led and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well
led early, pressed leader and raced keenly, switched left towards stands side from 3f out and slowly drifted over there, beaten over 1f out, weakened
held up rear of mid-division, effort on inside 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
The veteran Air Pilot won this last year on his only visit to the track. He's a regular first-time-out winner so the lack of a recent run is no problem though he's much better on soft ground. BULLFINCH deserves a crack at this level after three convincing victories on Polytrack. He made all in what looked a tough handicap at Kempton last time and can make the transition. High End completed a hat-trick in his first three starts way back in 2017 and was having his first start since that year when very nearly landing a Sandown handicap last month so is greatly respected. Mythical Magic, who won a Meydan Group 2 in February last year, has been highly tried subsequently and had little chance against Logician at Doncaster last time. Six-times winner Thundering Blue has plenty of experience at the highest level though finished last in a Deauville Group 3 last month on his first start for almost a year.
Air Pilot 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leader on outside until 3f out, weakened and behind over 2f out, last of 5, 14 1/4l behind Lord North (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f lst stks (1) hvy in Nov.
Desert Icon (FR) 3-1fav (9-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and beaten over 1f out, last of 9, 9 1/2l behind Palavecino (9-3) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
High End 15-2 (9-9) Settled 3rd after 1f, challenged on outside 2f out, led narrowly approaching final furlong, headed and no extra final 150 yards, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Data Protection (8-6) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Mythical Magic (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, tracked winner, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 2, 7l behind Logician (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f stks (2) gd in Sep.
Thundering Blue (USA) (9-1) last of 8, 10 1/2l behind Skyward (9-1) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 3 stks gd in Aug.
Anna Nerium 9-1 (9-10) Held up and always towards rear, never on terms, last of 11, 8 1/4l behind Amber Storm (8-0) at York 7f hcp fll (2) gd in Aug.
Bullfinch 5-2jfav (8-9) Made all, clear entering final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 1m hcp (2) pol in Sep beating Intrepidly (8-9) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Oriental Mystique (8-11) last of 8, 12 3/4l behind Wonderful Tonight (8-11) at Deauville 1m 4f Grp 3 hvy in Aug.
