chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon hard pressed inside final furlong, held on towards finish
chased leader, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, headed over 6f out, with leader, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, outpaced over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on
in touch, headway over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, soon switched left inside final furlong, kept on and held close home
in touch, ridden and faded inside final furlong
behind, pushed along 4f out, never dangerous
Island Song’s winning run came to an end at Redcar and she’s a pound higher now. The top weight may also need fast going to show her best. Motahassen won on soft going at Carlisle, however, and is only 4lb higher. It was also soft ground when HIGHWAYMAN won over course and distance in June. He was given far too much to do back here last month and finished behind Jack Blane but those placings could be reversed today if David Thompson’s gelding races closer to the pace. Metronomic and Optima Petamus look best of the rest.
Island Song (IRE) 5-4fav (9-8) Tracked winner, lost place when switched outside over 4f out, headway over 2f out, went 2nd when ridden over 1f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Bollin Joan (9-6) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Motahassen (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Made all, ridden over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, asserted towards finish, won at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) sft in Aug beating Dwight D (9-10) by 2l, 13 ran.
Metronomic (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Keen, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 6 1/4l behind Clenymistra (8-11) at Ripon 1m 2f stks (6) gd in Aug.
Highwayman 5-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, struggling over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on strongly on outer inside final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Crazy Tornado (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Phebes Dream (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Rear of mid-division, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and no impression on outer under 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Six Silver Lane (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Apr.
Stardrifter 40-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, mid-division, pushed along far side of group and headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 4 1/2l behind She's Royal (9-1) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Jack Blane 16-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Lotara (9-3) at Hamilton 1m hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Optima Petamus 7-1 (9-2) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra final 50 yards, 5th of 13, 4 3/4l behind Lotara (9-3) at Hamilton 1m hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Lucky Ellen (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, lost place when ridden over 1f out, no chance with front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 8 3/4l behind Pammi (8-8) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Poppyinthepark 33-1 (8-9) Always towards rear, 7th of 8, 11l behind Weather Front (9-10) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Aug.