tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, driven to challenge over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
keen, held up, hampered after 2f, pushed along over 5f out, ridden to go 4th 3f out, effort over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, idled near finish
held up, hampered in rear after 2f, ridden and headway approaching 3f out when lost action, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, behind over 2f out
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, driven to challenge over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
raced wide, held up, ridden 5f out, weakened well over 2f out
soon led, ridden 3f out, driven 2f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish
The three to concentre on here are ASCENDANT, Teeky and Danse On Wood with the vote given to Ascendant. Sir Mark Prescott is a master when it comes to finding improvement in horses when they are stepped up in trip and Ascendant is a case in point. He won well when upped to 1m2f last time at Catterick and with this even longer trip expected to suit today he can win again. Teeky is a likeable filly and she is also tackling this trip for the first time. However it should suit and she proved her ability to go on the polytrack last time when she chased home Sweet Hollow. Danse On Wood showed improved form at Lingfield last time and he has to be of interest on his handicap debut over this longer trip. The Last Don and Crocus Rose are others to consider but the vote goes to Ascendant.
Ascendant 10-11fav (9-2) Soon driven to lead, clear from chasing group halfway, driven over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon not much room and switched right, hard ridden and stayed on strongly, just failed (awarded race), won at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf in Aug beating Akbabend (9-2) by ns, 8 ran.
Teeky 2-1fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, never any chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Sweet Hollow (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
The Last Don (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Made virtually all, ridden 3f out, joined over 2f out, driven, all out, held on gamely, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug beating Broughtons Paradis (8-8) by hd, 10 ran.
Harlestone Snake 11-10fav (9-7) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, soon hanging right, beaten over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 13l behind Royal Diamond (8-11) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Danse On Wood 12-1 (9-1) Soon tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, led over 3f out, kept on well until headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Souter Point (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Jul.
Crocus Rose 9-4fav (8-11) Held up mid-division, switched left and headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, held on, won at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug beating Theologist (8-13) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Lady Rusty (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 10, 8l behind Sweet Hollow (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
Ermyn Lodge 8-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, headway to leader for 3f, made rest, ridden 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, found extra, won at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug beating Dice (9-2) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
