held up, dropped to rear 3f out, ridden 2f out, headway between horses entering final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace
in touch, headway 2f out, soon every chance, kept on one pace final furlong
headway to lead over 7f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt close up, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, wide and headway over 2f out, ridden and ran on strongly inside final furlong, not quite reach winner
led, headed over 7f out, ridden to lead again 2f out, driven and all out, just held on
Le Chiffre has been very consistent this year, winning here and at Beverley in the summer. But the handicapper looks in charge at present and this looks a much easier race than the one in which ARCHAEOLOGY (NAP) finished sixth at Thirsk at the start of the month. The top weight didn’t get the best of runs that day and, though he could have done without a 2lb rise, this longer trip will suit given he ran well over 1m2f at Pontefract last year. Dark Lochnagar probably needs further but is slipping down the ratings and this is a stiff track. Granite City Doc is in better form that fellow course winner Makyon and his stablemate Striding Edge.
Archaeology 9-2 (9-2) Mid-division, not clear run 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 6th of 15, 6l behind Shelir (9-11) at Thirsk 1m hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Dark Lochnagar (USA) 14-1 (8-11) Prominent, pressed leader halfway, almost upsides 3f out, ridden and lost place over 2f out, no extra, 7th of 12, 4l behind First Impression (8-7) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Le Chiffre 7-2fav (9-5) Chased leaders, effort over 3f out, driven 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Hayadh (10-0) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Makyon (IRE) 28-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, driven and struggling over 3f out, well beaten final 2f, 10th of 11, 20 1/2l behind Hayadh (10-0) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Granite City Doc 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Viceregent (9-1) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp (5) sft in Sep.
El Picador (IRE) 22-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, upsides and every chance from 3f out, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened, 6th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Eagle Court (9-10) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Striding Edge (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Raced wide close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 37 1/4l behind Garden Oasis (9-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp (4) gd in Sep.