keen early, always prominent, led 3 out, hung left flat, ridden and headed near finish
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened last
raced keenly, tracked leaders, weakened 2 out
chased leader, led after 3rd, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when hit 2 out
led until after 3rd, remained prominent, pushed along after 5th, every chance 3 out, weakened last
pulled hard, held up towards rear, headway after 3rd, steadied before next, hit 2 out, soon beaten
not fluent, held up towards rear, headway when hit 2 out, weakened last
held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, weakening when not fluent last
mid-division, raced keenly, headway 5th, went 2nd approaching last, shaken up flat, ran on well to lead near finish
held up, mistakes 1st and 4th, always in rear
TUANKU should be up to defying a penalty in this company although it will be interesting to see if there's any market confidence behind Golden Bishop or Starluck. Alan King's gelding comfortably sets the standard on form having made a winning debut over obstacles when scoring at Plumpton and he stepped up on that level of form in defeat at Cheltenham when chasing home a promising French import. The remainder with experience don't appear to be anything out of the ordinary and he should have their beating but there are some interesting newcomers. Golden Bishop was a fare middle distance handicapper who comes into this race on the back of a decent run unlike Hellfire Bay who has been well below par on each of his last two starts, Metal Madness was also well beaten when last in action but has proved to be a pretty consistent performer and deserves a second look but the most interesting is Starluck. He ran off a mark of 92 on his final start for Kevin Prendergast in July and has the class to take this contest if he takes to hurdling but we'll stick with the proven claims of Tuanku.
Tuanku (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, lost 2nd, kept on to retain 2nd again last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 8l behind R De Rien Sivola (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Abfabfong (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 38l behind Tyrrells Wood (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Boomtown 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, weakened next, 7th of 12, well behind R De Rien Sivola (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Golden Bishop 14-1 (8-4) Pulled hard, held up in rear, ridden and headway on inside well over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Ben Ami (8-1) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol (Flat).
Hellfire Bay 33-1 (8-6) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, lost touch over 2f out, tailed off, last of 12, 49l behind Intabih (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol (Flat).
Joshua 10-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and mistake 3 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Rock Me (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf.
Magpie (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some progress after 6th, 6th of 15, 21l behind Rock Me (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf.
Metal Madness (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f, weakened over 1f, 7th of 10, 23l behind Shaloo Diamond (9-0) at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Sept (Flat).
Seven Stars 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, blundered and unseated rider in race won by Graze On And On (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) frm, 14 ran.
Starluck (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to 2nd 2f out, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 2l behind Whispering Wind (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp 60-92 gf in Jul (Flat).
Janet's Delight 12-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Circadian Rhythm (9-1) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (6) pol in Sept (Flat).
