prominent, ridden 2f out and every chance, kept on gamely, no extra close home
tracked leaders and keen early, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, tracked leaders halfway, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, edged right when challenged inside final furlong, all out
Nonrunner
Van Bossed, River Ardeche and Exhibition are the trio to focus on here, with Van Bossed taken to complete the hat trick. A winner at Catterick at the end of August, Van Bossed then had a lay off, but is showing the benefit of that rest, scoring in decisive fashion in successive contests after a narrow defeat. He is eleven pounds higher than his latest success at Ripon, but he is progressive and receives weight from his serious rivals. River Ardeche is a hard opponent to evaluate, having won emphatically on his debut at York on heavy ground in July. The form was below York's normal standards, and having fallen heavily after passing the post, he is having his first run since and is best watched on this better ground. Third in the Group Two Richmond Stakes, Exhibition looks well treated, having previously won on heavy ground at Nottingham. However, he hails from a yard that is not firing at present, and is opposed. Van Bossed can rule here.
Burnwynd Boy 20-1 (9-0) In touch far side, bumped after 1f beaten over 1f out, last of 15, 21l behind Max One Two Three (8-9) at York 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gs in Oct.
Exhibition (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) In rear, headway from 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Strike The Deal (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
River Ardeche 15-2 (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven over 1f out, soon clear, kept on gamely final furlong, won at York 6f 2yo mdn auc (4) hvy in Jul beating Fulford (8-9) by 6l, 10 ran.
Van Bossed (CAN) 11-4fav (8-12) Tracked leaders stands side, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, won at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Baldemar (8-6) by 3l, 12 ran.
Perfect Polly (8-10) In touch to 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 10l behind Pomellato (9-0) at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Irish Pearl (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Close up, chased leader halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Quiet Elegance (8-9) at Leicester 6f 3yo stk (3) sft in Apr.