Crystal King seems to have lost his way having made a winning return on the all-weather back in April and SPEED COMPANY is preferred. Ian Williams’ charge has been unlucky not to add to an earlier win at Ripon having gone close in all four subsequent outings but Cameron Noble’s allowance may give him the edge in this. Lightly Squeeze made a winning return in an amateur riders' race here earlier in the month but has been raised 8lb for that while heavy going may prove a problem for Frontispiece and Sputnik Planum still looks in need of some respite from the handicapper.
Crystal King 12-1 (9-1) Keen led and soon 5 lengths clear, increased led 8f out, 15 lengths clear 4f out, ridden and reduced lead 2f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened, 11th of 16, 11 1/4l behind Time To Study (9-1) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Speed Company (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, lost place 3f out, effort 1f our, edged left, went 2nd post, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Qawamees (8-13) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Frontispiece 13-2 (9-10) Led, came to near side rail in straight, narrowly headed towards finish, rallied to join leader and force dead heat post, won at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (3) gs in Aug beating Emenem (9-7), 6 ran.
Shabeeb (USA) 50-1 (8-11) Dwelt, always in rear, pushed along 4f out, tailed off when pulled up 2f out, broke blood vessel, at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Sputnik Planum (USA) 7-1 (9-13) Mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders over 3f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, soon ridden and stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Qarasu (9-7) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Jabbaar 15-2 (9-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, never able to get involved, 6th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Diocletian (8-13) at Chester 1m 6f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Music Seeker (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 15, 6 3/4l behind Coolagh Forest (9-5) at York 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Lightly Squeeze 4-1 (11-9) Steadied start, held up in rear, closer halfway, chased leaders over 3f out, led over 2f out, stayed on strongly, won at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Sep beating Mauricio (11-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
Gabrials Boy 50-1 (8-6) In touch, stayed far side, ridden and weakened2f out, tailed off, last of 12, 33l behind Ranch Hand (9-1) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Rowland Ward 7-4fav (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 4l behind Where's Jeff (9-5) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
