raced near side group tracking leaders, hung right from over 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong, just missed modest 3rd
raced near side group tracking leader and closest to rail, led going well inside final 2f, pushed along and came clear over 1f out, very easily
led near side group, pushed along and headed inside final 2f, lost 2nd and weakened inside final furlong, just held on for 3rd
held up last in centre side group, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off and eased
close 3rd in centre group and keen, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
tracked leader in centre group and keen, pushed along as groups merged 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up last in near side group, ridden and hung badly left over 2f out, soon beaten
led centre group, pushed along as groups merged 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
bit keen, held up tracking leaders in near side group, headway on rail edging right over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, no chance with very easy winner
NonRunner
There is an equal split of older horses and three-year-olds in this and the two age groups have shared honours down the years. Sir Busker beat Dubai Future in a Group 2 at York last year but that pair are the senior runners. Spirit Dancer completed the transformation from handicapper to pattern-race performer when landing the Strensall Stakes at York seven weeks ago but he is very much a course specialist on the Knavesmire and now carries a penalty. Highland Avenue would have a chance on his placed efforts in this grade at the start of the summer but REAL GAIN, who is 3-4, earned his chance at this level after easily winning a decent handicap under a big weight here just over two weeks ago. Maximilian Caesar has solid form over a mile and 1m2f so could threaten the places while Knight won’t be far away if handling the step up in trip.
Spirit Dancer 6-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, came stands side turning in, pushed along and headway 2f out, soon ridden, led 1f out, kept on well, won at York 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Aug beating El Drama (9-7) by 1l, 6 ran.
Highland Avenue (IRE) 7-4fav (9-8) Steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along and hung left from 3f out, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, just missed modest 3rd, 4th of 6, 5l behind Al Aasy (9-8) at Newbury 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Raadobarg (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Led, pushed along over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra and just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Chindit (9-11) at Sandown 1m lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Sir Busker (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, pushed along over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Chindit (9-11) at Sandown 1m lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Knight (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Raced wide towards rear, good headway tracking leaders over 3f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on towards finish, always just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Chindit (9-11) at Sandown 1m lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Maximilian Caesar (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Soon led, headed after 1f, chased leader, led again over 3f out, hard pressed, edged left over 1f out, stayed on, holding 2nd close home, won at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Sep beating Westerton (9-0) by nk, 8 ran.
Padishakh (FR) 7-2 (8-13) 5th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Brave Emperor (9-3) at Deauville 1m Grp 3 hvy in Aug.
Real Gain (IRE) 11-4fav (9-10) Close 3rd, led going well over 1f out, ridden and came clear inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (3) gf in Sep beating Island Bandit (9-7) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
Silver Sword 12-1 (9-2) Difficult loading,held up in rear, steady headway out wide 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved, 5th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Chindit (9-11) at Sandown 1m lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Dubai Future 9-1 (8-13) 2nd of 10, 7l behind Mostahdaf (8-13) at Riyadh 1m 2f Grp 3 stks gf in Feb.
