tracked leaders on inside, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up and behind, not clear run on inside over 2f out, soon switched left, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
always behind
started very slowly and lost many lengths, raced keenly in rear off steady pace, headway on outside chasing leaders over 1f out, stayed on into never nearer 3rd last strides, never able to recover
mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened towards finish
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, good headway between horses over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
soon pushed along chasing leaders on outside, went 2nd 8f out, pushed along and every chance over 2f out, weakened rapidly inside final 2f
towards rear, headway on outside chasing leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear in slowly run race, good headway on outside over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, lost 3rd final strides
quickly away, led 1f, soon settled 3rd, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
led after 1f and set steady pace, quickened well over 2f out, headed over 2f out, chased leaders, weakened final furlong
went 2nd 9f out until 8f out, chased leaders, eased from inside final 2f
Most Celebrated will likely need this and is probably being prepared for a hurdling campaign but it’s difficult to put a line through many others in an ultra-competitive handicap. Podemos made all and was eased close home over course and distance last month so a 5lb rise looks fair but he may struggle to get to the front this evening from a high draw. Emenem has been running well this year without managing to get his head in front but he’s been dropped a further 2lb since his fourth at Ascot so has to go on the short-list. Lingfield winner El Ghazwani remains unexposed but this looks a tough assignment stepping up in trip. Black Lotus found only one too good chasing a hat-trick at Newmarket but is another trying a new distance. PARTING CLOUDS will also have stamina to prove but she is a half-sister to a 1m4f winner and wasn’t stopping when second last time at Wolverhampton. The Godolphin filly gets the nod though it would be no surprise to see any of Hollywood Road, Morning Has Broken, Petitioner and Wimpole Hall in the firing-line as well.
Emenem 9-1 (9-7) Set steady pace, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 2l behind What A Welcome (9-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Hollywood Road (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 6, 1 1/4l behind Fairlight (9-3) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Most Celebrated (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten, last of 8, 14 1/2l behind Irish Roe (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Wimpole Hall 14-1 (9-10) Started very slowly, well adrift, headway on outside 2f out, soon hung left, went 3rd over 1f out, closed on 2nd but no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Zlatan (9-4) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Petitioner (IRE) 100-1 (9-3) Led until hung badly right and headed turning into straight, soon weakened and behind, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Stradivarius (9-6) at York 2m Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Podemos (GER) 11-2 (9-5) Raced freely, led after 1f out, 6 lengths clear 5f out, driven over 2f out, held on well, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Sep beating Simoon (9-9) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Parting Clouds 11-10fav (9-6) In touch, headway to chase winner over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind The Throstles (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Grapevine (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) Slowly away towards rear, headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 13l behind Amazing Red (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Three Weeks (USA) 22-1 (8-10) Held up, never dangerous, last of 6, 7 3/4l behind Protected Guest (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Morning Has Broken (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Led and raced freely in front, headed 3f out, chased winner after, ridden over 1f out, no impression, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Zlatan (9-4) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Black Lotus 7-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway to press leaders over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Matewan (8-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Althaaqib (USA) 6-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders on outside, driven and lost place over 3f out, soon behind, weakened and eased over 1f out, tailed off, last of 10, 33l behind Pensax Boy (10-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Liva (IRE) 9-2 (8-6) Held up, outpaced 4f out, kept on final furlong, never a factor, 5th of 7, 5l behind Zzoro (9-1) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
El Ghazwani (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Keen close up early, in touch after 2f, wide and headway 2f out, ridden to press winner when carried right inside final furlong, just held(placed 1st), 2nd of 9, shd behind Tiffin Top (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
