slowly into stride, soon with leader, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, headway 3f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on to lead well inside
led, quickened up over 2f out, fading when headed inside final furlong
mid-division, headway when switched left 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong, just failed
in touch, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and lost place 3f out
held up, never dangerous
in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on under strong pressure and edged left final furlong
never a danger
tracked leader and keen, ridden and weakened over 1f out
KING'S EVENT edges out Pacifism and The Carlton Cannes as the main hope in this tricky handicap. Boz and Inspector Clouseau are others to consider backing for a place if the odds permit a few angles to be covered. Inspector Clouseau makes his debut on an artificial surface, so obviously needs to prove he can act on the Polytrack. But he is at the right end of the weights to be an interesting candidate for a winter campaign and is worth keeping tabs on for the time being. Boz is already a multiple winner and gets on well with Jamie Spencer. His is also proven on the All Weather and stays this trip well. However, he appears to be in the grip of the handicapper at the moment and now has a bit to prove. The Carlton Cannes is a course and distance winner that is still open to a bit more improvement. The lightly raced four-year-old was far from disgraced when third off his current mark at Newbury last month and, assuming Darryll Holland can initiate a similar effort from the gelding, he is sure to be on the premises at the business end today. However, King's Event showed up well here last time out and, as Sir Michael Stoute excels with animals of his type everything looks to be in place for the son of Dynaformer.
Birkside 12-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon one pace, 9th of 12, 4l behind Night Crescendo (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sept.
Rayhani (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Raced keenly mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, soon beaten, 10th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Night Crescendo (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sept.
King's Event (USA) 11-4fav (8-13) Started slowly, tracked winner after 1f, effort 2f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Bahar Shumaal (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sept.
Boz 16-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, behind, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, soon one pace, 8th of 10, 4l behind Armure (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sept.
Bee Sting 17-2 (9-3) In touch, pushed along 6f out, not much room on inside 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on, 5th of 11, 7l behind The Last Drop (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
The Carlton Cannes 14-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Times Vital (8-10) at Newbury 1m 4f hcap (4) gd in Sept.
Pacifism (UAE) 16-1 (8-13) Pulled hard, soon tracking leaders, ridden and hung badly right final 2f, stayed on, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Colony (8-5) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Agapanthus (GER) 40-1 (9-2) In touch until weakened quickly 2f out, last of 16, 32l behind Kamsin (9-2) at Hamburg 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Power Elite (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Chased leader, led over 6f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 6, 5l behind Hits Only Vic (10-0) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) hvy.
William Blake 12-1 (8-11) Soon chased leader, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 17l behind Ajhar (9-9) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sept.
Prime Number (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Took keen hold, always in rear, no chance when eased final furlong, last of 10, 14l behind Armure (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sept.
Inspector Clouseau (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Led, ridden over 3f, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 8l behind Lost Soldier Three (9-10) at Catterick 1m 4f hcap (3) gs in Sept.