difficult loading, flashed tail, soon tracking leaders and keen on inside, pushed along and lost 3rd 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
held up in touch in rear, switched right and smooth headway on inside 2f out, soon chasing leaders, led approaching final furlong, kept on well
tracked leaders on outside, 3rd travelling well 3f out, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, no threat after
held up in close 5th, switched left inside final 3f, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on into 2nd 50 yards out, no chance with winner
tracked leader, challenged 2f out, ridden and pressed winner 1f out until no extra and lost 50 yards out
led, ridden and pressed 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
NonRunner
X Rated is another Johnston three-year-old deemed ready to be pitched in against his elders after making all in typical stable fashion at Bath. This is a tougher assignment though and narrow preference is afforded to DESERT RULER. The O'Keeffe gelding has delivered a a trio of highly creditable efforts in large-field handicaps this term and should do so again with trip, ground and official rating all to suit. Fivehundredmiles has been in good heart since returning to the care of the Shanahan yard and has yet to finish out of the front four on six starts at this venue. He should maintain that record at the very least. The top three look to have their fair share of weight but Mohab ran well on his penultimate start and will appreciate this drop in grade.
Hidden Rebel 12-1 (10-0) Steadied start, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Company Asset (9-13) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp fll (4) gd in Jul.
Mohab 10-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Just Hiss (9-5) at York 1m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Fivehundredmiles (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, always well held, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Gulf Of Poets (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Desert Ruler 9-2 (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, kept on and no chance with winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Fire Tree (9-2) at Wetherby 1m hcp (5) gd in May.
Rashford's Double (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Fire Brigade (8-9) at Newmarket 1m hcp (4) sft in May.
X Rated (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Made all, ridden and ran on, won at Bath 1m 2f hcp (5) fm in Jul beating High Wells (8-8) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Maraakib (IRE) 18-1 (9-5) Chased leader, led briefly 2f out, soon ridden, chased leaders, weakened quickly over 1f out, 8th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Royal Regent (8-12) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jun.
