tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, kept on well towards finish
mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
Ad Libitum finally took advantage of a slide down the weights when scoring over track and trip and First Dance found only one too good here last time. Both are preferred to Carlisle runner-up Granite City Doc, who has something to prove over this far, but DREAMWEAVER makes most appeal. He’s won twice this year already and may not have finished yet judged on a recent second off today’s mark at Lingfield. Iconic Belle has been thereabouts over longer trips recently and Dragon Mountain posted a better effort at Hamilton last time.
Iconic Belle 6-1 (9-7) Always close up, pushed along and every chance 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Angel Gabrial (8-7) at Chester 2m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Glan Y Gors (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) In touch, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Shamad (9-1) at York 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Dragon Mountain 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders on outside, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Donnachies Girl (8-4) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Aug.
Dreamweaver (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Held up, headway on outside 2f out, ridden and hung left just over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd towards finish, not trouble winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Sea Battle (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Granite City Doc 12-1 (10-1) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Zealous (9-6) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Ad Libitum 9-5fav (9-6) Chased leaders, led 2f out, pressed 1f out, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Sep beating Croeso Cymraeg (9-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Brandy Spirit 9-2 (9-8) Close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Noble Prospector (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
First Dance (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Dwelt, held up in last, headway over 2f out, strong challenge over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, held by winner inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Monica Sheriff (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp fll (4) pol in Aug.
Royal Flag 16-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Navajo Pass (9-6) at Carlisle 1m 6f hcp (4) gs in Aug.