led, soon clear, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, stayed on well final 2f
held up, ridden and headway on inner over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, kept on inside final furlong, held towards finish
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, went 2nd over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, led well over 1f out, held on well towards finish
chased clear leader, weakened over 4f out
in touch, struggling from 6f out
held up, pushed along over 4f out, never dangerous
mid-division, effort over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, weakened 2f out
in rear, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
slow away, always towards rear
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on well final 2f
Sharaab is taken to land this handicap with Mighty Kitchener and Balakar the others to consider. The selection returns to the level after a spin over hurdles, and his recent flat form reads very well in the context of this race. He was only narrowly beaten at Thirsk by Erte and if he reproduces that run here then he should be hard to beat. Mighty Kitchener is chasing the hat-trick but all his three career wins have come on the all-weather so far and the simple fact is that he generally reserves his best for Wolverhampton. Balakar was a fair third behind City Miss at Ayr last time and as this quicker ground will suit him he has to be respected. Young Scotton ran well last time and could prove best of the remainder, but for the winner we will stick with Sharaab.
Red Chairman 13-2 (8-7) Led, keen early, ridden 3f out, soon headed, no extra, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Doctor Scott (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Great Quest (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 12l behind Rudry World (8-13) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Sharaab (USA) 10-11fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway to track leader 4f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied final furlong, just held, 2nd of 9, shd behind Erte (8-10) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Sa Nau 9-4jt-fav (9-6) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2l behind Princess Kiotto (9-11) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Balakar (IRE) 10-3jt-fav (8-11) Held up, pushed along 4f out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on under pressure final 2f, 3rd near finish, no impression, 3rd of 9, 2l behind City Miss (7-11) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Mighty Kitchener (USA) 7-1 (9-8) Made all, shaken up approaching final furlong, held on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Aug beating Ha'penny Beacon (9-2) by a shd, 10 ran.
Young Scotton 28-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Atlantic Coast (8-7) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Golden Groom 11-2 (8-13) Prominent, ridden to lead over 3f out, driven out final furlong, won at Ripon 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug beating Mr Mischief (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Soubriquet (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 17l behind Spell Casting (9-11) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Erte 14-1 (8-13) Mid-division, outpaced over 5f out, soon ridden, some late headway, never reached challenging position, 5th of 12, 13l behind Golden Groom (8-13) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Compton Eclaire (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, lost place over 4f out, soon outpaced, weakened 3f out, last of 9, 29l behind Erte (8-10) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
City Miss 20-1 (7-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 9l behind Collette's Choice (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Kerry's Blade (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden over 4f out, headway over 2f out, one pace final 2f, 6th of 12, 14l behind Golden Groom (8-13) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Borsch (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 8th of 14, 6l behind Princely Ted (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Forever My Lord 25-1 (8-8) Led until ridden over 3f out, soon headed and weakened, 10th of 11, 40l behind Kyber (8-12) at Musselburgh 1m 6f app hcp (6) gd in Aug.
The Dunion 100-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace, 5th of 13, 6l behind Rare Coincidence (11-4) at Hamilton 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gf.
Foxxy 25-1 (7-13) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Golden Groom (8-13) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
