slowly into stride, headway to go prominent over 8f out, led over 7f out, hung left on bend and headed 4f out, chased leader until hung left on bend over 2f out, weakened soon after
held up in last pair, never involved
pressed leader, led after 1f out until over 8f out, settled 3rd over 7f out, 2nd over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside ifnal furlong
in touch, pushed along over 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, no chance after
soon settled in touch, ridden and sustained run from over 1f out, closed steadily inside final furlong to lead final 100 yards, soon clear
led 1f, tracked leader, led again over 8f out until over 7f out, pressed leader, led again 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra final 100 yards
slowly into stride and bustled along leaving stalls, last pair, headway towards inside 2f out, went modest 4th inside final 2f, no impression
Nonrunner
Saeed Bin Suroor sent out last year's winner but course winner Khusoosy steps up in trip for his first start since October. May Queen is upped 5lb for narrowly winning a lower grade handicap over track and trip last month but LANDWADE LAD (NAP) went close in this grade at Leicester last time and James Fanhsawe's charge looks to have every chance of opening his account. Chester winner Berrahri failed to cope with an 8lb rise last time but Double Discount is back on a winning mark and could figure.
Double Discount (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 5 3/4l behind Mr Gallivanter (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Jul.
George Guru 16-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 11th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Mutawathea (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Apr.
May Queen 9-2 (10-0) Led, ridden and flashed tail 1f out, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp fll (5) pol in Jul beating Age of Elegance (9-3) by ns, 9 ran.
Swing Alone (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Mid-division, took keen hold, closed 5f out, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 15 3/4l behind Memorial Day (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Khusoosy (USA) 7-2fav (9-7) Always prominent, led and swerved right well over 1f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m (4) pol in Oct beating Landwade Lad (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Berrahri (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, easily, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Salmon Sushi (10-0) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
The Gay Cavalier 11-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, switched right off inside rail over 2f out, soon ridden and not quicken, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 6l behind Mister Rockandroll (8-6) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Landwade Lad 5-2fav (9-1) Chased leaders, closed 3f out, led well over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Almodovar (9-4) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
