mid-division, took closer order 6f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always in rear
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out until unable to quicken inside final furlong
led 11f
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd towards finish
Tranquil Tiger, Dansant and Metaphoric catch the eye here with Tranquil Tiger taken to see off his rivals. Metaphoric has failed to add to his winning tally since scoring on his seasonal re-appearance here in April, but he clearly likes the track and is a consistent performer, rising up the handicap as he has turned in a number of placed efforts, notably when a good third in the Melrose behind Speed Gifted. He should not be discounted. Dansant won a good handicap at Doncaster last time, and strictly on the form book is held by Metaphoric on running in the Melrose. However, he is in good form and can go close. After some disappointing efforts, Henry Cecil's Tranquil Tiger bounced back to form in a conditions race at Salisbury last time. He won with some authority, and is well treated at the weights here. Tranquil Tiger can earn his stripes here.
Tranquil Tiger 5-2fav (9-2) Held up last, headway and chased leader after 4f, ridden to lead 3f out, edged left final furlong, driven out, won at Salisbury 1m 6f stk (2) gf in Sept beating Munsef (9-9) by 2l, 5 ran.
Dansant 5-2fav (8-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on well, won at Doncaster 1m 7f hcap (2) gf in Sept beating Kasthari (9-6) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lion Sands 10-3 (8-9) Raced keen early, soon tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Steppe Dancer (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) pol in Sept.
Metaphoric (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Aajel (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
Sagredo (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden and edged left over 2f out, one pace, 8th of 15, 7l behind Regal Flush (9-0) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Sept.
Spanish Hidalgo (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 6th of 19, 5l behind Speed Gifted (8-11) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Shawhill 10-1 (8-0) In touch, pushed along over 4f out, driven over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Wing Collar (9-2) at York 1m 6f lst hcp (1) hvy in Jul.
Veenwouden 6-4jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leader, headway over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Opal Haze (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept.
