keen, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, kept on same pace
steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, no impression
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong, ran on strongly
led 1f, remained prominent, led again over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led after 1f, headed over 2f out, soon lost place
behind, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
NonRunner
Fire Brigade has been thereabouts in most recent starts but he hasn’t won since landing this 12 months ago when 3lb lower. Firmament is also proving frustrating to follow but Third Time Lucky has faced some stiff tasks since winning at York in the summer and Just Hiss made all on the Knavesmire earlier this month when Gulf Of Poets was sixth. Escalator has won three times this year, twice over this trip, but couldn’t cope with a further 6lb rise last time. VENTURA KNIGHT is only a pound higher than when scoring at Ayr in July and was third in a Listed race subsequently. He’s back over his best trip today and could be the value in an open-looking handicap.
Firmament 12-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 14th of 15, 10 1/4l behind Raising Sand (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Fire Brigade 4-1fav (9-6) In rear, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Waarif (9-6) at Ayr 1m hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Third Time Lucky (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Led stands side group and well on terms, under pressure when groups merged over 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 33, 13 1/2l behind Wissahickon (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Gulf Of Poets 33-1 (9-5) In touch in mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Just Hiss (8-7) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Escalator 11-2 (8-12) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Dolphin Vista (9-3) at Ayr 1m 2f lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Just Hiss 9-1 (8-7) Made virtually all, ridden and edged left over 1f out, stayed on well and in command inside final furlong, won at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Waarif (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Dragons Tail (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) With leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Confessional (9-0) at Haydock 6f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Gossiping 10-1 (9-7) Prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Honey Man (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Aug.
Ventura Knight (IRE) 100-1 (9-1) Raced centre, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 24th of 33, 29 3/4l behind Wissahickon (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.