held up in rear, wide and effort 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace
led 1f, chased leaders after, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, effort on inside approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
held up, ridden over 2f out, never a danger
behind, ridden over 4f out, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
raced wide, held up in touch, ridden and headway from over 2f out, effort when bumped inside final furlong, driven to force dead heat final stride
keen, tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, headed final stride
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance when edged right inside final furlong, driven to force dead heat final stride
Sands of Barra was good value for his win at Chester last time but a 4lb rise for that and a return to the Polytrack that does not seem to suit the gelding as much as the turf is a concern and a better bet may be Bucharest, who gets the vote over Nikki Bea. The last mentioned showed a return to form over course and distance last time and would have claims if able to build further on that effort. King After has slipped back to a winning mark and has to be respected having shown signs of a return to form here last time. Strut The Stage has slipped to a fair mark but is hard to recommend on recent evidence, while Confucius Classic seems a shade high in the weights at present. Zabeel House is another that has dropped to a decent mark but has given little sign of encouragement of late and preference is for Bucharest. Michael Wigham's gelding has been in good form of late and should appreciate the return to the Polytrack where his recent form is very solid.
Bucharest 11-8fav (9-13) Took keen hold, in touch, led 4f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 6th of 11, 4l behind Borodinsky (8-10) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-65 (6) frm in Aug.
Zabeel House 12-1 (9-9) Ridden on outside, always in rear, 13th of 14, 9l behind Reeling N' Rocking (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
Fateful Attraction 11-1 (8-12) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 10l behind Hits Only Cash (9-8) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Aug.
Nikki Bea (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Meditation (9-9) at Lingfield 7f fll hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Strut The Stage (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Glencal (8-8) at Chepstow 6f 3yo mdn hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Blue Line 11-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 10l behind Gallego (9-5) at Salisbury 1m ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Treasure House (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1l behind Mister Jingles (8-11) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
King After 14-1 (8-9) Soon tracking leader, led inside final 3f, headed approaching final furlong, no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong and no extra, 4th of 12, 3l behind Divertimenti (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Aug.
Confucius Classic (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, stayed on inside final furlong, no danger, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Jack Sullivan (8-11) at Warwick 7f stk (4) gf in Aug.
Magroom 14-1 (8-2) Mid-division and keen, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 5l behind Minnis Bay (9-5) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp (5) frm in Aug.
Sands of Barra (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well, won at Chester 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug beating Regal Dream (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Special Place 5-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, effort on inside, driven over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Reeling N' Rocking (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
Batchworth Fleur 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Contented (8-8) at Goodwood 6f app hcp (6) gd in Aug.
