held up towards rear, headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
dwelt, held up in rear, headway 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one paced
led ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
in touch, weakened 2f out
USTINOV completed a double last autumn and was having his first start since October when finishing strongly at Catterick last month. Today's stiffer track is in his favour and he can concede weight all round. Spirit of Zeb finished in front of David O'Meara's charge in that latter event but had a fitness advantage having been in good form all summer. Normandy Barriere is just 4lb higher than when beating a big field at Ascot in May and ran very well over an extra furlong there a fortnight ago. Barkston Ash gained the last of his 10 victories in May 2014 but has gradually dropped to a winnable mark.
Ustinov 10-1 (9-12) Held up, in rear, outpaced 2f out, no impression until ridden and kept on on outside final final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Best Trip (9-11) at Catterick 6f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Normandy Barriere (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 18, 1 3/4l behind Hawkeyethenoo (10-0) at Ascot 7f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Explain 9-2 (9-11) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, no extra, 6th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Mishaal (9-8) at Pontefract 6f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Spirit of Zeb (IRE) 17-2 (9-7) Tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Best Trip (9-11) at Catterick 6f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Mickey (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, last of 14, 23 3/4l behind Orion's Bow (9-11) at Hamilton 6f hcp (2) sft in Jul.
Canyari (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) In rear stand side, always behind, weakened 2f out, last of 19, 19 1/2l behind Pomme De Terre (9-10) at York 6f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Barkston Ash 12-1 (9-11) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 5l behind Naggers (9-7) at Hamilton 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Dodgy Bob 20-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, 6th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Mustallib (9-4) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Brilliant Vanguard (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Held up, in last pair, headway 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Sir Roderic (9-1) at Sandown 7f hcp (3) gs in Jul.