prominent, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, pressed from over 1f out, headed and no extra close home
tracked leaders, took keen hold, challenged 1f out, ran on to lead to last stride
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on
held up, some headway over 1f out, never on terms
tracked leader, lost place over 2f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon no impression
held up, never on terms
keen in mid-division, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous
held up, never dangerous
Connect showed signs of a revival when a close up third in a better race than this at York last time and is taken to resume winning ways here at the main expense of Zidane and Gimasha. The last mentioned ran better at Sandown last time but there is a suspicion that she is still paying the penalty for a successful season last term. Mick Channon's Obe Brave is less exposed than most of these but he looks a shade high in the weights at present. Blue Tomato won three races on the bounce in mid-summer and he is another that looks to be in the grip of the handicapper at present. Texas Gold is capable and consistent and should again be thereabouts but Willie Muir's gelding may once more have to settle for a minor role. Zidane has had a break since disappointing in the Bunbury Cup and could be of interest but Connect looks to be coming back to form now and he is preferred.
Texas Gold 8-1 (9-5) In touch, pushed along halfway, kept on under pressure final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Bond City (9-5) at Epsom 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Aug.
Obe Brave 20-1 (9-8) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, driven and still close up over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 3l behind Jamieson Gold (8-11) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug.
Gimasha 9-2jt-fav (9-8) Tracked the leaders, ridden to lead going well 2f out, ridden clear entering final furlong, no extra and headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Hogmaneigh (9-4) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Grantley Adams 10-3fav (9-5) Steadied start, behind, headway on out chased leaders over 2f out, not quicken and one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 4l behind Come Out Fighting (9-1) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Connect 20-1 (8-9) Held up, edged left, headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 3rd of 17, 1/2l behind Knot In Wood (8-8) at York 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug.
Lady Livius (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, always held final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Dark Missile (8-13) at Ascot 6f fll hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Zidane 11-2fav (8-12) Held up, never troubled leaders, 13th of 19, 11l behind Mine (9-10) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Blue Tomato 13-2 (9-2) Held up, ridden halfway, no chance final 2f, 5th of 6, 5l behind Idle Power (9-3) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Took keen hold in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, no impression, weakened quickly over 1f out, 8th of 13, 17l behind Paper Talk (9-13) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.
Campbeltown (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden, every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 7l behind Dizzy Dreamer (9-2) at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Gavarnie Beau (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) In touch, chased leaders 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 8, 1l behind Guest Connections (9-8) at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
