slowly into stride, soon recovered, joined leader over 5f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, soon weakened
took keen hold, tracked leaders, led 1f out, driven out
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
held up in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression final furlong
prominent early, soon behind
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, not quicken
behind, some headway over 2f out, no further progress
held up in touch, took closer order over 4f out, stayed on one pace and hung right inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, never near leaders
chased leaders over 3f
Hits Only Heaven is taken to step up on his promising debut to account for King of Sting and Downland. A couple of these are a bit exposed already, namely Entertaining and Madhavi, and although they have the experience, both are susceptible to the improvers here, and on the back of a promising debut at Yarmouth three weeks ago, Hits Only Heaven is taken to open his account. The Jeff Pierce-trained gelding was fitted with an eye-shield at the seaside track, and was noted running on strongly behind Rubies at the finish. The third horse was five lengths away, and with an extra furlong to help now, he should go one better, with nothing else really catching the eye. King of Sting is from a yard that is going places but may need a return to softer conditions to open his account judged on a below-par effort at Catterick last time. Downland has a perfect draw next to the rail but she has failed to progress and will probably be stepped up in trip in due course. It is hard to enthuse about the rest, and Hits Only Heaven should take all the beating.
Drumming Party (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Held up on outer, driven over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 10l behind Registrar (9-0) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Sept.
Ernmoor Young Ern gelding, half-brother to 1m4f winner Dafa.
Fajr (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden 3f out, no headway, soon beaten, 13th of 14, 19l behind Cavallini (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Hits Only Heaven (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Keen, chased leaders, ridden halfway, chased winner over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Rubies (8-7) at Yarmouth 6f mdn stk (5) gd in Sept.
King of Sting 5-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, pushed along over 3f out, some late headway but never able to challenge, 7th of 13, 11l behind Machinate (8-7) at Catterick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Zalzaar (IRE) Xaar gelding, half-brother to 1m2f winner Charente and 7f winner Zuniga's Date.
Downland (USA) 10-1 (8-7) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 8l behind Della Salute (9-1) at Bath 1m fll hcp (5) frm in Aug.
Entertaining 7-2jt-fav (8-7) Held up, never nearer, 7th of 12, 7l behind Redeye Special (8-7) at Yarmouth 6f mdn stk (5) gd in Sept.
Glowing Dawn (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Dwelt, mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened, 10th of 14, 10l behind Alvarita (8-11) at Salisbury 1m 3yo mdn fll (5) frm in Sept.
Madhavi 12-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, behind, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 12l behind Middleton Grey (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Rhuby River (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Keen, chased leader, led briefly just over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 12l behind Etaar (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 3yo mdn (5) gs in Jun.
Tennessee Belle (IRE) 66-1 (8-0) Slowly into stride, outpaced, some headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 13l behind Rubies (8-7) at Yarmouth 6f mdn stk (5) gd in Sept.
Tiggers Touch 66-1 (8-12) Very keen and prominent for 3f, soon beaten, last of 11, 23l behind Amica (9-6) at Chepstow 1m fll hcp (5) gd in Aug.
