slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led well over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, not quicken
held up mid-division, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leader, ridden 3f out, not much room 2f out, never dangerous
Trouble Mountain is the pick over Instructor, with In Full Cry and Active Asset seen as other leading players. Trouble Mountain has been in great form this season, and the old man of the party is sure to go close again here. Mick Easterby's nine-year-old gained his first win since 2004 when scoring off a handy mark at Nottingham in May, and despite going back up in the weights, managed to add to that at Haydock earlier this month. He goes on the ground and is on good terms with himself at present, so must go close. In Full Cry only beat one home at Sandown recently, but that was his first outing since making a wining debut last May and he could surprise his elders here with a big effort, while Instructor cold do with coming down the weights. That comment also applies to Active Asset but he has solid place claims, while Dzesmin is best watched on his British introduction. Trouble Mountain has done nothing wrong, and can win again before the handicapper gets to him.
Dzesmin (POL) (8-11) 3rd of 12, 5l behind San Luis (9-6) at Sluzewiec 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Instructor 4-1 (8-2) Tracked winner, ridden and effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Go Tech (8-4) at Redcar 1m 2f hcap (2) frm in Jun.
Active Asset (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Held up, behind leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Folio (9-1) at Ripon 1m 2f hcap (4) gf in Jun.
Best Of The Lot (USA) (9-2) Led to over 1f out, soon beaten, last of 6, 7l behind Shipping Lane (9-2) at Deauville 1m 2f gd in Aug.
In Full Cry 9-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, soon outpaced, 6th of 7, 4l behind Count Trevisio (9-7) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Aleron (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Held up behind leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 5l behind Maneki Neko (9-0) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcap (4) gf in Jun.
Trouble Mountain (USA) 9-1 (8-4) Towards rear, chased along 4f out, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Brief Goodbye (8-11) by a nk, 17 ran.
Red Chairman 50-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 10l behind Go Solo (9-1) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Ransom Strip (USA) 7-1 (8-9) Soon chasing leader until lost place over 4f out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Norman Beckett (8-6) at Ayr 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in May.
