slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up in mid-division, weakened well over 2f out
tracked leading pair on outside, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and no response over 2f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to modest 3rd inside final furlong
led for 2f, tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened and lost 3rd inside final furlong
never better than mid-division
tracked leading trio on inside, going well 3f out, chased (clear) winner over 2f out, closed inside final furlong but never going pace to threaten
tracked leader, led after 2f, clear 2f out, ridden and reduced advantage inside final furlong, always holding on
always in last trio, never involved
held up in rear, never a factor
tracked leaders in 5th on outside, reminder over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
The penny finally dropped with MALLORY HEIGHTS last time as he ran away with a handicap at Wolverhampton by over four lengths. He's been upped 8lb for that but this longer trip should suit and Silvestre De Sousa keeps the ride. Federal Blue is getting a bit closer as he slips down the weights but this is tougher than the race Cherry Princess won at Goodwood last time. Ballinderry Boy has every chance after finishing second over track and trip while The Welsh Wizard may find that bit extra needed if first-time blinkers have the desired effect.
Federal Blue (USA) 10-1 (8-0) Headway to 2nd 10f out until 7f out, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, lost 3rd over 2f out, driven over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Special Meaning (8-10) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Mallory Heights (IRE) 15-8fav (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Aug beating Ty Gwr (9-10) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
The Welsh Wizard (IRE) 6-4 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching final 3f, weakened over 1f out, last of 4, 15l behind Battalion (9-3) at Ripon 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Thorpe (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) With leader, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Bohemian Rhapsody (10-0) at Ffos Las 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Aug.
Astrum 15-2 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden and lost place over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 7, 7l behind Plutocracy (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Deficit (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Dwelt, soon pushed along to track leading pair, headway to lead 9f out until 7f out, pressed leader, led again over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, chased leader until inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards, 5th of 6, 6l behind Debdebdeb (9-4) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Ballinderry Boy 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, challenging when carried right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Pearl Spice (9-3) at Kempton 2m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Aug.
Conquestadim 5-1 (9-4) In touch, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 14l behind Rutherglen (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Aug.
Choral Prince (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, kept on well, never able to challenge, last of 3, 1 3/4l behind Bridgehampton (9-11) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Cherry Princess 20-1 (8-3) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Goodwood 2m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug beating Fitzwilly (8-5) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
