held up in last trio, no headway over 2f out
towards rear, made some late headway, never troubled leaders
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up towards rear, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd final 100 yards
chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon pushed 2 lengths clear, caught near finish
chased leader until over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders over 4f
slowly into stride, pushed along on outside 3f out, always rear division
chased leaders on outer, hard ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
went left start, soon mid-division on inside, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, chased clear leader inside final furlong, closed and stayed on to lead near finish
This is a tough handicap to close the card and the vote is given to STRAIGHT FACE over Sermons Mount and Artesium. Gay Kelleway's 5-year-old has run some good races here and he was far from disgraced in a competitive handicap at Newcastle earlier in the month which has worked out well. He has a good draw today and from what looks to be a fair mark he can make it count. Sermons Mount is another with a positive draw and he finished narrowly behind Artesium at Lingfield last time. He has now gone 12 races without getting his head in front but on these terms and taking into account the draw, he should be capable of reversing form with Artesium this evening. Candy Rose looked a useful prospect last season but she has been a bit disappointing so far this year, although she shaped with a bit more encouragement last time. The draw is a negative for Shake On It and we will return to Straight Face as our idea of the winner.
Annes Rocket (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Obe Brave (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Takitwo 20-1 (8-8) Soon towards rear, last halfway, struggling after, 9th of 11, 9l behind Millfield (9-8) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol.
Dilli Dancer 20-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, beaten when hung right over 1f out, 15th of 19, 7l behind King's Colour (9-5) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Candy Rose 7-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Sham Sheer (8-11) at Folkestone 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Avoca Dancer (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway when hampered over 1f out, stayed on well, 5th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Cadeaux Fax (8-12) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Djalalabad (FR) 25-1 (8-8) Always in rear, 14th of 15, 19l behind Captain Flasheart (9-1) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Shake On It 66-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, held up in rear, effort on wide outside and driven over 2f out, never in contention, 6th of 11, 6l behind Millfield (9-8) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol.
Sermons Mount (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right and led inside final furlong, headed final 75 yards, 2nd of 13, nk behind Artesium (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Bobble Rock (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Mid-division, lost place halfway, behind when hung left 3f out, 12th of 13, 36l behind Ela Gorrie Mou (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Artesium 16-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, ridden and good headway from over 1f out, led final 75 yards, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol beating Sermons Mount (8-12) by nk, 13 ran.
Anfield Star (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 7l behind Chantilly Jewel (8-10) at Lingfield 5f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Minnola 10-3fav (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 6l behind Lyric Art (8-12) at Catterick 7f mdn stks 0-60 (6) sft.
Straight Face (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 8th of 16, 5l behind Whipma Whopma Gate (8-13) at Newcastle 1m sell stks (6) gs.
Headache 7-1 (9-5) Pulled hard, soon led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind Appelouse (9-6) at Southwell 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) fbs in Jul.
