tracked leaders, pulled hard, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace
held up, headway over 2f out, soon once pace
hampered, held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, rallied and led again over 1f out, ridden out
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon driven and hung left, headed over 1f out, kept on
in touch, ridden over 3f out weakened over 2f out
held up, never a factor
held up, headway over 3f out, never troubled leaders
soon led, pulled hard, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, always behind
towards rear, always behind
held up, never dangerous
mid-division, not much room after 2f, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, behind for final 3f
mid-division, weakened well over 2f out
Several hold chances in the finale, but there may be more to come from Takafu, who is selected ahead of Top The Charts and Diamond Circle, who are both respected with their claims. Karlu is also worth noting in the betting and he is expected to prove the better of the two John Dunlop-trained runners in the race. Karlu does not have too many miles on the clock and, as a proven soft ground performer, he is expected to provide good value for each-way punters to consider. Diamond Circle is also less exposed than a few of the rest and arrives here in good heart after an improved effort last time. He improved for the step up in distance and is capable of going close if he handles the ground. Top The Charts has found his racing shoes of late and should make a bold bid to land the three-timer. Nevertheless, this he now has more on his plate in this company and he will need to post a career best to come out on top. Therefore, we switch to the improving three-year-old Takafu, who shapes as if he will enjoy the extra distance today. William Haggas is a great judge of a stayer, so a solid move in the betting market will tell us plenty about the expectations held by the connections of Takafu today.
Spear Thistle 10-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and hard pressed final 2f, kept on until headed over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Whirly Bird (9-2) at Newbury 1m 3f hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Top The Charts 11-4fav (8-9) Held up 5th, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon clear, ridden out, won at Goodwood 1m 4f stk 0-80 (4) gf in Sept beating Country Pursuit (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Karlu (GER) 8-1 (8-5) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, all out, won at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sept beating Nessen Dorma (9-7) by a shd, 14 ran.
Chocolate Caramel (USA) 6-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 6l behind Oblique (9-2) at Epsom 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Takafu (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Estepona (9-11) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Diamond Circle 14-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, driven and no impression over 1f out until stayed on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Bulwark (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Spinning Coin 12-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Virtue (9-1) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Ceiriog Valley 8-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 12l behind Karlu (8-5) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Pocketwood 10-1 (9-3) Held up, struggling and well behind final 3f, 7th of 8, 15l behind Indian Pipe Dream (9-9) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
Tiamo 4-1 (8-2) With leader, led after 4f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 13l behind Numero Due (8-5) at Thirsk 2m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Epices Evensfav (9-0) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out, last of 6, 17l behind Gramada (8-9) at Carlisle 1m 4f 3yo mdn aut (6) gf in Sept.
Spanish Ridge (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead final strides, won at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp (5) frm in Jul beating Aoninch (9-9) by a shd, 9 ran.
Darling Deanie (IRE) 16-1 (7-13) Behind, under pressure 4f out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 18l behind Tungsten Strike (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 6f stk (3) gf in Sept.
Wotchalike (IRE) 66-1 (7-12) Led early, tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 11, 21l behind Bulwark (9-5) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Queen of Iceni 11-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, behind, headway 7f out, joined leader over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 15, 32l behind Key Time (8-9) at Goodwood 2m 3yo mdn hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Isle de Maurice 12-1 (8-8) Held up 4th, ridden over 3f out, no headway and kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 6l behind Muzdaherha (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Sand Repeal (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakening when edged left just over 1f out, 5th of 11, 6l behind Gandalf (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jul.
