broke well, made all, steadied pace soon after start, shaken up over 1f out, ridden 1f out, asserted towards finish
keen, tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
pulled hard, soon with winner, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
This presents BINIOU with a good chance to boost his confidence. The Trader has claims on the pick of his past form and would be dangerous to ignore, while Angus News takes her racing well and, as a likely candidate to set a good tempo she has to merit a second look in a field of this size. Mango Music won off a mark of 79 at Pontefract in June and, having been subsequently well held in stiffer company, she looks up against the wall at this level. Angus News has been cut plenty of slack by the handicapper this season and has managed to pay her way as a result. Still, she faces a tough test at the weights today and only her best endeavours will suffice. The Trader has also dropped to a dangerously attractive mark and, if this was a handicap he would have to merit more serious consideration. Still, he has been potless since winning a Group 2 in France in 2005, so the cracks are there for all to see. He will also find life tough in coping with the selection on these terms. Therefore, Biniou, who would be conceding in excess of 10lb if the handicapper had his say, is taken as the one for the money here.
Angus Newz 9-1 (9-9) Squeezed out start, soon led stand side group, ridden and headed over 2f out, gradually lost place and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 9l behind Perfect Flight (8-5) at Goodwood 6f fll hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Biniou (IRE) (8-11) Pulled hard in mid-division, pushed along 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 6l behind Desert Ocean (8-11) at Deauville 6f in Aug.
The Trader (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 14th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Hoh Hoh Hoh (9-11) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Mango Music 20-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ran on final furlong, 4th of 16, 2l behind Lord of The Reins (9-6) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.