held up, headway on outer over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, weakened final furlong
dwelt, behind, headway 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside last, rallied post
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, joined post
behind, ridden over 2f out, some headway, one pace, no impression
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out
Nonrunner
Hypnotic has been raised 9lbs for his win at Ayr last time but that looks perfectly fair and the David Nicholls-trained gelding remains on a fair mark so gets the vote ahead of King Harson and Mezuzah. The last mentioned disappointed under heavy ground last time but that run is probably best ignored and Mick Easterby's gelding would have solid claims on earlier form. Countdown has yet to prove that he stays this far, while Tanforan could probably do with some more help from the handicapper. Tajaathub is gradually getting the hang of things and cannot be discounted although a bigger threat may come from Stoic Leader. The top weight is closely matched with King Harson on running over course and distance last time and there should not be much to choose between the pair today. Hypnotic is very much the form horse though and he gets the vote to win again.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Led, ridden 3f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 3l behind King Harson (8-11) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Hypnotic 12-1 (9-6) Made all, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Ayr 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Zhitomir (9-2) by 6l, 12 ran.
Tajaathub (USA) 8-1 (9-11) In touch, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Rain Stops Play (9-4) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Countdown 9-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 11th of 15, 16l behind Vanadium (9-4) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (4) gs in Aug.
King Harson 15-2 (8-13) Led, headed over 4f out, led again over 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 2l behind Dr Thong (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Mezuzah 11-4fav (9-3) Led and headed after 1f, remained in touch, effort when weakening over 1f out, last of 8, 12l behind Nevada Desert (8-10) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-85 (4) hvy.
Tanforan 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 11l behind Dr Thong (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
John Keats 28-1 (9-3) Led for 2f, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 5l behind Glenbuck (9-0) at Catterick 7f 3yo hcp (4) gs.
