tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
raced keenly, tracked leader, challenged and every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
held up behind, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, every chance towards finish, just held
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, switched inside 2f out, quickened and headway to lead over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish
raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on strongly inside final furlong to lead towards finish
behind, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders
A decent little contest to conclude proceedings and one where DUKES ART is just preferred to Elusive Fame. The latter carries a penalty for an eased-down Southwell win over 7f last time and has so far shown all his best form on artificial surfaces. Significantly though, his three wins have been at the aforementioned Midlands track and also at Wolverhampton, and it may be that the Polytrack here will be a bit on the quick side. Facing Dukes Art in this grade you want as much in your favour as possible and we are taking James Toller's colt to complete a hat-trick. Wins at Doncaster and Yarmouth on good ground have been earned with plenty of enthusiasm and although he may not be the best there is there is nothing at all wrong with his willing attitude. A 2lb rise for the most recent of those successes does not look insurmountable. Mac's Power likes it here and is tried over 7f for the first time, which may help bring about some imrprovement, and he could figure, while the same applies to Iron Out, who has a Leicester fast ground seller to his name and not much to find with Elusive Fame on their Southwell running last time. None of the other trio would be major surprise winners and in a tricky heat Dukes Art gets the nod.
Arachnophobia (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 10, 3l behind Medicean Man (9-3) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Jul.
Elusive Fame (USA) 7-2 (9-1) Got over from wide draw and prominent, led 5f out, made rest, pushed clear over 2f out, all out towards finish, won at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) fbs beating Iron Out (8-10) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Dukes Art 4-1fav (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul beating Caprio (9-13) by nk, 7 ran.
Spiritual Art 11-1 (8-7) Held up behind, outpaced when not much room over 2f out, never on terms, last of 6, 12l behind Big Apple Boy (9-6) at Pontefract 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Mac's Power (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Held up, headway on outside 2f out, driven to press leader and strong challenge entering final furlong, soon every chance until no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Pumpkin (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul.
Audemar (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Reared leaving stalls, switched right start and held up in rear, good headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 12, 4l behind Musleh (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Iron Out (USA) 9-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong to take 2nd final 100 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Elusive Fame (9-1) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) fbs.
