pulled hard, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden halfway, one pace from over 1f out
dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
keen, held up mid-division, ridden and hampered over 1f out, kept on one pace
patiently ridden towards rear, headway and not clear run and switched left over 1f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on
led over 4f
chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
steadied start, held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
Border Artist, Torquemada and Danielle's Lad make the short list in a tricky race with Torquemada getting a tentative nomination. Running through the field and Flying Bantam has become disappointing although he is undoubtedly well handicapped based on form of 16 months ago. Vienna's Boy might just need dropping two or three pounds before we could be more confident of a win, while James Street has it to prove on Turf. All of Mystic Man's wins have so far come in claimers, while Border Artist made hay from a falling mark earlier in the year and, although beaten at Goodwood last time, is not entirely ruled out of a good run. Torquemada finished ahead of him at Goodwood, though, and this course and distance winner is undoubtedly on a competitive mark. The worry is that he is becoming a little bit tricky to win with, although his chance cannot be dismissed. Danielle's Lad is another that has dropped to a reasonable mark and is not ruled out of a good run. Bathwick Emma was ahead of him at Chepstow last time, and both have to be considered today. Raised three pounds for a back-to-form Musselburgh success, course and distance winner Snow Bunting also holds claims, and it would not entirely be a surprise to see Sea Frolic make a place. As we say, it is pretty tricky with the vote going to Torquemada.
Vienna's Boy (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 3l behind Barons Spy (8-6) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Flying Bantam (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3l behind Oeuf A La Neige (8-7) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
James Street (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 14, 4l behind Littledodayno (8-7) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Mystic Man (FR) 20-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 16, 21l behind Saxon Lil (9-7) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
Border Artist 4-1 (9-7) Held up and keen, not clear run and badly hampered over 1f out, no further impression, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Taranaki (8-10) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Torquemada (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, switched left and headway 2f out, wandered and ran on to chase winner close home, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Taranaki (8-10) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Danielle's Lad 20-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened, 7th of 16, 4l behind Red Rudy (9-10) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Bathwick Emma (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Red Rudy (9-10) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Snow Bunting 11-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up, not much room over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug beating Motu (9-3) by a nk, 14 ran.
Sea Frolic (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden 2f out, had every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Typhoon Ginger (9-3) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Aug.
