held up, never travelling particularly well, towards rear, headway under pressure on outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to take 2nd final 50 yards, no chance with easy winner
close up on inside, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 3f out, no chance with winner from over 1f out, lost 2nd final 50 yards
always behind
tracked leader, led 3f out, well in command over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong
ridden and mid-division when hampered on inside over 2f out, soon beaten
close up, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten
slowly away and early reminders, behind most of way
mid-division, driven along, stayed on same pace final 2f
always behind, driven along halfway, soon struggling in rear
In the finale, the short list contains Acrobatic, Babe Maccool and Great Hawk, with the vote going to Acrobatic. Acrobatic is on a roll and comes here seeking a fourth-successive win. A course and distance winner, a penalty should not stop him from being competitive again. French import Starnevees seemed to be heading in the right direction last time and has each-way claims again, while Giving also seemed as though he was getting it together last time, lightly raced, should be open to further improvement. Babe McCool is just a pound above a winning mark from last season and, having had a sighter here last time, cannot be ruled out of things. Let Slip and Star Magnitude need career best efforts in order to score, while Great Hawk is another lightly-raced potential improver, although he has to put a poor run last time behind him, when he was fancied - tho a first-time visor will surely help matters. Sonny Parkin comes here in good heart and can go well at a price, while Della Salute is the type to run well if things fall right for her. Overall, though, Acrobatic should run well again and gets the nomination.
Acrobatic (USA) 9-4fav (9-8) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-90 (3) pol beating Royal Jet (9-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Given A Choice (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 7l behind Bee Stinger (9-6) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) frm in Aug.
Starnevees (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, ridden to dispute lead just over 1f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Inchloch (9-9) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Giving 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, joined winner final 100 yards, kept on, no extra near finish, just held, 2nd of 17, shd behind Salute Him (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Babe Maccool (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up in mid-division, no real headway final 2f, 8th of 11, 7l behind Strawberry Lolly (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2f app hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Star Magnitude (USA) 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, stayed far side straight, soon lost 2nd and weakened, 9th of 10, 11l behind Resonate (9-1) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Aug.
Let Slip 5-2jt-fav (10-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden when weakening over 1f out, 6th of 9, 16l behind Lady Disdain (8-8) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Great Hawk (USA) 11-4 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, eased final furlong, last of 5, 27l behind Blue Bajan (10-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Sonny Parkin 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, reluctant early and pushed along, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Forroger (8-6) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Aug.
Della Salute 14-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, stayed on final 2f, not trouble leaders, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind South O'The Border (9-13) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Secretary General (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Reminders early, held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 5l behind Impeller (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (5) pol.
Shogun Prince (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 5th of 8, 9l behind Millistar (8-11) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Herring (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Soon chased leaders on outside, weakened quickly over 2f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Millistar (8-11) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
