chased leader until 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
slowly away, always behind
off the pace and always towards rear
chased leaders, led 2f out, clear when edged left inside final furlong, ran on well
slowly into stride, off the pace in rear, edged right and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
raced towards far side, chased leaders, weakening when hung left over 1f out
always towards rear
restless in stalls, raced towards far side of centre, led until 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f
switched left start, off the pace towards rear, switched back right and headway 2f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, off the pace towards rear, hung right and kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved
Low drawn runners have tended to fare well in this race so ILLUSIONIST (NAP) makes plenty of appeal from stall two and appeared a little unfortunate in running at Ayr earlier in the week. Paws For Thought benefited from a canny Richard Kingscote ride at Haydock Park and a 3lb rise for those labours does not appear onerous. Khunan has had a couple of pipe-openers since returning from Bahrain and remains potentially well treated on the pick of his British form. Autumn Festival is yet to win this term but has traditionally put in his best work at this time of the year. Chairmanoftheboard ran well in a valuable Newmarket handicap and makes the long journey North while Gis A Sub represents the stable that secured this prize in 2022.
Hyperfocus (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Led, headed 3f out, ridden and chased leader over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, weakened into 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Roman Dragon (9-0) at Chester 6f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Chairmanoftheboard (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Held up in last pair, bit closer on inside halfway, outpaced and towards rear over 2f out, no chance after, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sterling Knight (9-9) at Windsor 6f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Jump The Gun (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 12l behind Edward Cornelius (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Autumn Festival 4-1 (9-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Gioia Cieca (9-3) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Paws For Thought (IRE) 5-2 (10-1) Made all, ridden over 1f out, all out, won at Haydock 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Metabolt (10-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Fools Rush In (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, off the pace and always towards rear, 13th of 16, 6 3/4l behind Ramiro (8-9) at Ayr 6f hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Illusionist (GER) 16-1 (9-11) Off the pace towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Ramiro (8-9) at Ayr 6f hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Bay Breeze 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along and slightly outpaced 2f out, pushed along and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Kitai (8-9) at Pontefract 6f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Gis A Sub (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Prominent in centre, ridden 2f out, plugged on same pace, 4th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Significantly (9-11) at Haydock 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Khunan 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders far side, ridden 1f out and every chance inside last, held towards finish, well clear of rest, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Significantly (9-11) at Haydock 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Another Baar 9-2 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Good Earth (9-7) at Newmarket 5f hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Rock Melody (IRE) 28-1 (9-5) Off the pace towards rear, headway when not clearest of runs briefly inside final 2f, ran on under pressure near side of group inside final furlong, went 3rd inside final 100 yards, not reach winner, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Ramiro (8-9) at Ayr 6f hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Ramon Di Loria (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened inside final 2f, 12th of 16, 5 3/4l behind Ramiro (8-9) at Ayr 6f hcp (3) gs in Jul.
