held up in last pair, pushed along and headway on outside 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, challenged and hung left 1f out, narrow lead soon after, driven edged right and narrowly headed final 100 yards, rallied to lead again post
held up in 6th, effort 3f out, weakened 2f out
took keen hold, tracked leader, led 2f out, soon edging left, driven and narrowly headed inside final furlong, led again final 100 yards, stayed on, headed post
tracked leading trio, driven to challenge for close 2nd entering final 2f, one pace in 3rd and held when hampered inside final furlong, weakened to 4th close home
held up in rear, ridden on outside and beaten 2f out
chased leading pair until ridden and weakened over 2f out
soon led, pushed along and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, staying on same pace in 4th when hampered inside final furlong, switched right and stayed on to 3rd close home
Given the narrow margin of his Goodwood victory the handicapper hasn't been able to go overboard with REGAL PARK, who looks open to further progress and gets the vote. Jeremy Noseda's charge seemed to improve for the soft ground that day and showed that two miles isn't a problem, so a 3lb rise can be overcome with Richard Hughes again in the saddle. Baltimore Clipper deserved to get off the mark at Thirsk but perhaps didn't deserve the 7lb rise for doing so and that may keep him from winning while Boston Blue, 9lbs higher than when gaining his sole success in June, is going to struggle to reverse form with Regal Park having been behind him last time. Hayzoom could improve for Jimmy Fortune's handling and softer ground while The Starboard Bow met an improver at Kempton and did best of the rest.
Regal Park (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) Mid-division, smooth headway 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, just held on, won at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft beating Hawridge Star (9-3) by shd, 13 ran.
Baltimore Clipper (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on well, won at Thirsk 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul beating Nave (9-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Boston Blue 5-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Regal Park (9-0) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Hayzoom 16-1 (8-12) Behind, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final 2f, never nearer, 7th of 15, 8l behind Activate (8-9) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
The Starboard Bow 8-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway well over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on well, not pace to challenge, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Tuscan Gold (9-5) at Kempton 2m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Sidney Melbourne (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Mid-division on outside, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 42l behind Activate (8-9) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Rawnaq (IRE) 4-1 (8-1) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, soon lost place, one pace final 2f, no impression, 4th of 8, 6l behind Topolski (9-8) at Chester 2m hcp 0-95 (3) sft.
Sula Two 11-2 (9-5) Tracked leading pair, effort 2f out, ridden and lost place over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Affinity (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
