tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, faded final furlong
stumbled leaving stalls, soon led, 3 lengths clear halfway, pushed along over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
in touch in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
in touch in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked clear leader until ridden 2f out, faded final furlong
NonRunner
Kevin Ryan has trained two of the last three winners and BRANDO (NAP) may prove the one to beat this year. He made a winning return in a handicap at this meeting last year and went on to land a Group 3 sprint before winning the Ayr Gold Cup in September. He has the edge on today’s terms over the likes of Tasleet, who raced just twice last year and won a Group 3 contest over 7f, while Windfast won a Listed race over 6f on the July course here in August with Mayfair Lady well beaten. Ornate made a habit of finishing runner-up last season but the consistent Kassia won four times including a Listed sprint over track and trip. Aeolus has plenty to find with the selection on Ayr Gold Cup running.
Aeolus 4-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 1f out, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Lord Of The Land (9-3) at Lingfield 6f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Brando 14-1 (9-2) Held up, in mid-division, smooth headway inside final 2f, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, not reach winner, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind The Tin Man (9-2) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Ornate 5-1 (9-4) Raced alone centre, overall leader, merged with main group halfway, pushed along over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 10, hd behind Symposium (8-2) at Ascot 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Windfast (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f lst stks (1) gf in Aug beating Buying Trouble (8-7) by nk, 8 ran.
Kassia (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, raced near side and 3rd in group, headway into overall 2nd just over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final strides, won at Newmarket 6f lst fll stks (1) gd in Oct beating Gravity Flow (9-0) by hd, 13 ran.
Mayfair Lady 22-1 (9-10) Mid-division, stands side, outpaced and edged over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 20, 5 1/2l behind Intisaab (9-9) at York 6f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Tasleet 12-1 (9-1) Raced stands side, held up, pushed along over 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 12, 6l behind Aclaim (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Oct.