mid-division, headway going well on outside 2f out, soon led narrowly, headed final 100 yards, no extra
held up, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon no extra
mid-division on outside, ridden 4f out, headway on outside approaching final furlong, soon led and clear, ran on well
slowly away and dwelt, in rear, struggling 3f out, stayed on strongly final 100 yards, never on terms
held up, pushed along and made no impression 2f out, late headway inside final furlong for 3rd
mid-division, going well behind leaders 2f out, ridden and outpaced final furlong, kept on well for 2nd close home
chased leader, keen early, ridden and outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out
The three-year-olds face no easy task in this. Balance Play may be the pick of the trio, ahead of Le Mans and Totnes, even though he was unplaced when favourite again at York last month. Certain Lad is on a long losing run but has been showing signs of life lately but Toshizou looks held on the form book. MUSTAZEED completed a course and distance double in the spring and has plenty of form on soft and heavy ground - he has been waiting for the going to ease. Millebosc hasn’t won since his debut three years ago while Gaassee’s form this year has been largely underwhelming.
Certain Lad 22-1 (9-12) Sweating and edgy, prominent early, soon steadied off the pace in mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden in 4th inside final 2f, stayed on into 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Dual Identity (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Gaassee (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Slowly into stride, off the pace towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never involved, 6th of 14, 12l behind Dual Identity (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Millebosc (FR) 11-2 (9-3) Always towards rea, 11th of 15, 8 1/2l behind Liberty Lane (9-1) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Balance Play (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Towards rear, lost place and in last pair halfway, not clear run and switched left 2f out, soon ridden and never dangerous, 10th of 14, 8l behind Marhaba The Champ (9-8) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Mustazeed (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Dwelt, towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and late headway inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 13, 7l behind Lord Protector (9-8) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Toshizou (IRE) 28-1 (9-6) Raced wide early, off the pace and always towards rear, 11th of 14, 12l behind Marhaba The Champ (9-8) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Totnes (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-4) Chased leaders, closed over 2f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Aug beating Miss Dolly Rocker (8-9) by 3l, 8 ran.
Le Mans (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Rear mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, switched left and ridden well over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside last and led towards finish, won going away, won at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Sep beating Morcar (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
