led, clear over 3f out until over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, soon ridden, no impression approaching final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leader, led inside final 2f, in command approaching final furlong, driven out
slowly away, held up last, reminder halfway, some headway to dispute 3rd soon after, bumped 4f out, dropped to last and struggling straight, soon beaten
mostly chased leading pair, bumped 4f out, ridden over 3f out, driven 2f out, stayed on to 2nd towards finish, never any chace with winner
Carlton Scroop just edges it at the weights but both his wins this year came over longer trips on the Polytrack and he was beaten three lengths over today's distance here last time. In contrast, COUNTRY ROAD scored over C&D in a similar event last month and Tony Carroll's charge had today's principal rival behind when winning at Wolverhampton last year. Catching Zeds and Special Endeavour are up against it on these terms and the newcomer Paragraph is hard to fancy making his belated debut at this level.
Carlton Scroop (FR) 3-1 (9-11) Led, ridden 3f out, headed 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Stand Guard (9-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f Selling Stakes (0-70) (3yo+) (6) pol in Jul.
Catching Zeds 28-1 (8-11) Dwelt, towards rear and pushed along, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 10l behind One Hit Wonder (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Paragraph Lucky Story gelding out of Barossa.
Special Endeavour (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led 2f, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 27l behind What About Now (8-8) at Brighton 1m 4f sell hcp 0-55 (6) gf.
Country Road (IRE) 15-8 (9-6) Chased leader, ridden inside final 3f, driven to lead over 1f out, stayed on under presssure, won at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) gf in Jul beating Viewing (9-1) by 1/2l, 6 ran.