with leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
keen, led, headed over 4f out, remained close up, ridden to lead again over 1f out, hung right and bumped rival inside final furlong, headed final 75 yards
in touch, lost place over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
keen in touch, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up, headway to join leaders halfway, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, hung left and bumped by rival inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 75 yards
fly jumped start, pulled hard, held up, headway to chase leader after 3f, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
This looks like it could be the tightest race on the card, and our preference is for top weight GUESTOFTHENATION, with the main rivals perhaps Tobond and Island Chief. Mark Johnston's runner is a scopey sort, and won a decent maiden at Thirsk second time out, after a pleasing debut here, in which he found some trouble in running. Related to a number of winners in France, he cost connections 85,000 Euro back in April, and with a clear passage in a small field could reward backers. Tobond won well at Kempton on his penultimate run and followed that up with a third here in a similar contest. He does seem to be on an upward curve. Island Chief struggled in testing conditions last time out but should find this more to his liking. Our selection is the only one to have won over this distance, and that's Guestofthenation.
Guestofthenation (USA) 2-1 (9-5) Tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, soon every chance, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Tale of Silver (9-0) at Ayr 1m nov stk (4) hvy in Sept.
Tobond (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, effort and edged left over 1f out, hung right 1f out, every chance when intimidated by rival's whip, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Atabaas Allure (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo hcp.
Wilbury Star (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Classic Vintage (9-5) at Bath 1m nov stk (5) gs.
Starry Sky 7-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Swift Chap (9-0) at Sandown 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Makhaaleb (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Pushed along halfway, always towards rear, 12th of 17, 13l behind Control Zone (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept.
Worth A King's 6-1 (8-7) Leaving stalls when unseated rider in race won by Atabaas Allure (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol, 10 ran.
Island Chief 9-4fav (9-3) Led early, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Hey Up Dad (9-3) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) hvy in Sept.