Barristan The Bold has a shout on recent efforts but a lack of form on testing ground is a worry for both him and the recent Chester winner Gabrial The Wire. Mikmak scored in heavy going over track and trip last month though is upped in class and is 4lb higher today but Mitchum Swagger faces an easier task of late and should also handle the underfoot conditions. However, a chance is taken on the less-exposed DUBAI DOMINION. Beaten only a neck in soft ground over 7f here last time and placed on his only previous attempt at today’s longer trip, Ed Vaughan’s charge is taken to come out best.
Mitchum Swagger 20-1 (9-7) Raced far side, held up in mid-division, no impression when slightly hampered and switched right over 1f out, 17th of 28, 7 1/4l behind Afaak (9-3) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) sft in Jun.
Humbert (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Chased leaders near side, lost action and eased over 2f out, pulled up, at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Dubai Dominion 5-1 (8-11) In touch in last pair, not clear run and switched left off rail over 2f out, headway chasing leaders over 1f out, squeezed through and ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd 50 yards out, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, nk behind Qaysar (9-5) at Haydock 7f stks (3) sft in Sep.
Victory Command (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 8f out, driven 3f out, well beaten final 2f, 9th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Caradoc (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Club Wexford (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Led narrowly, ridden and headed inside final 2f, kept on same pace, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Waarif (9-6) at Ayr 1m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Barristan The Bold 5-1 (8-8) Held up mid-division on inside, switched right over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, soon briefly not much room, ridden and ran on to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Oh This Is Us (9-10) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Crownthorpe 66-1 (8-8) In rear when clipped heels and fell over 5f out, at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Gabrial The Wire 11-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon challenged, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Chester 1m hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Humble Gratitude (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Mikmak 5-1 (9-6) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on and no impression, 6th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Alotabottle (8-7) at Carlisle 1m hcp (3) gs in Sep.
