tracked leader, pushed along and weakened over 1f out
soon led, steadied pace 7f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
keen towards rear, pushed along 3f out, effort on inner 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led early, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, went 3rd briefly inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2 places close home
dwelt close up, pushed along and headway to lead approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on
Victory Chime has fine strike rate on Turf and made all at Pontefract last time. But his only win on the all-weather so far came here back in 2018 while Sky Defender is another front-runner and has already finished ahead of both Sweet Promise and Johnny Drama this year. But the latter found LUCANDER (NAP) too good at York in August and Ralph Beckett’s charge will find this easier than his latest task in Group 3 company. He gets another chance back in a handicap with Frankie Dettori taking over the reins for his only ride of the meeting. Lawn Ranger won in a lower grade at Chester earlier and ran well again at Chelmsford last time.
Sky Defender (9-4) 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Tabera (8-9) at Hoppegarten 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Victory Chime (IRE) 2-1fav (9-10) Made all, ridden and ran on, won at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Sep beating Highwaygrey (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lucander (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Lady Wannabe (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Lawn Ranger 13-2 (8-12) Led, steady pace, joined 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, battled back well, disputed lead final furlong, touched off, 2nd of 6, shd behind Restorer (9-1) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Sweet Promise 33-1 (8-13) Hampered start, held up in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, no impression when hung left and ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Solid Stone (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Sep.
Johnny Drama (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Prominent, nudged along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Tulip Fields (8-6) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Oct.