chased leaders, ridden 2f out, squeezed for room inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders to halfway
in touch, joined winner over 2f out, ridden when weakening over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner
made all, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
dwelt and soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, dropped whip 2f out, soon beaten
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
Bateleur does not look overburdened despite a penalty, and can defy topweight at the expense of Gap Princess, No Worries Yet and Leonide. Bateleur turns out quickly under a 6lb penalty, incurred for a gutsy effort at Newmarket on Saturday, when he was asked to burst through a gap and score by Ed Creighton. Mick Channon's charge responded well to the jockey's call, and should make a bold bid to complete a hat-trick, having earlier got the better of Gap Princess at Newcastle. The latter is now 2lb better off at the weights, and will be dangerous again with James Rogers able to claim 7lb, but we feel that Bateleur will be up to the task. No Worries Yet was a close second to the useful Espartano on rain-softened ground at Windsor in May, but has failed to progress. On breeding she will love this extra furlong, and may may make a bold bid for the frame at least. Leonide was not too far behind Abunai at Southwell, and so is another to consider, but Bateleur is fit and in form, so gets the vote.
Bid For Gold 6-5fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 6, 3l behind Sunnyside Tom (9-3) at Carlisle 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf in Aug.
Tom Tower (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, in touch, not much room and lost place over 4f out, soon beaten, 12th of 13, 13l behind Hart of Gold (9-7) at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Impromptu 6-1 (8-8) In touch, hampered, checked and lost place over 4f out, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 3l behind Sylvan (8-1) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Aug.
Leonide 5-1 (8-7) Pulled hard, led, joined 4f out, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Abunai (8-8) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp (2) gf.
Ensign's Trick 22-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 9l behind Algol (8-6) at Ripon 6f 2yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
No Worries Yet (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Scented Present (9-0) at Chepstow 5f nov stk (4) gf in Jul.
Gap Princess (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Went right start, chased leaders, ridden when edged right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Bateleur (9-1) at Nottingham 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Bateleur 3-1jt-fav (7-13) Held up, in touch, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo hcp (3) gf beating Just Dust (8-7) by 2l, 9 ran.