pulled hard, chased leaders, ridden and unable to quicken when hung right over 1f out, no impression
took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders on outside, edged left on bend halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, ran green and always towards rear
chased leader, challenged inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish
mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on in 3rd inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up towards rear, bit slipped and hung badly left from halfway, rider unable to ride but ran on inside final furlong with rider sitting still
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no headway
It’s taken a while for the penny to drop with KNOCKOUT BLOW but he overcame a tardy start to win with authority over 5f here last month and, on that evidence, will have no problem over an extra furlong. Silvestre De Sousa keeps faith with Mark Johnston’s colt. Sergio Leone was still beaten nine lengths when runner-up at Windsor but Society Prince, a half-brother to four winners, caught the eye when fourth at Yarmouth and will know more today. Ace Of Spades is also a possible improver but Bakht Khan and Go Roo may need to up their game before getting off the mark.
Knockout Blow 2-1 (9-1) Dwelt, soon recovered chasing leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, 2nd inside final furlong, led inside final 150 yards, ran on well, won at Kempton 5f stks (5) pol in Sep beating Iconic Knight (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ace Of Spades (USA) 8-1 (9-2) Raced wide in mid-division, weakened over 2f out, soon behind, last of 12, 12 3/4l behind Sarookh (9-2) at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Sep.
Bakht Khan (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace in 3rd final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Expecting (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f stks (5) pol in Sep.
Fleeting Steps (IRE) Footstepsinthesand colt out of Breedj.
Go Roo 11-2 (9-5) Held up in mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after, 12th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Orange Suit (9-5) at Newbury 6f mdn stks (4) gd in Sep.
Prince Rock (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Keen, chased leaders, weakened entering final 2f, eased when no chance inside final furlong, last of 12, 22 1/2l behind Corrosive (9-2) at Kempton 7f stks (4) pol in Sep.
Sergio Leone (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Take Me With You (8-11) at Windsor 6f stks (4) gs in Sep.
Society Prince (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) In touch, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Mutaaqeb (9-2) at Yarmouth 6f stks (4) sft in Sep.
Walk On Walter (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 6 1/2l behind Elector (9-2) at Ascot 7f stks (4) sft in Sep.
Cardaw Lily (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Led until over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 12, 15l behind Swing Out Sister (9-0) at Sandown 5f mdn stks (5) gd in Sep.
