tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear winner approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked winner until pushed along approaching final furlong, soon weakened
taken to post early, close up, ridden an headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
close up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
made all, set steady pace, pushed along over 2f out, quickened clear over 1f out, unchallenged
WITHHOLD has bags of ability but is a bit of an enigma. The 2017 Cesarewitch winner should be capable of dominating this small field, however, as he is the clear pick of the weights. Austrian School has improved again this year but he lacks the consistency of last season. But he’s only rated 4lb inferior to the selection and should be the danger if running his race. Hasanabad has won twice this season so looks a better bet than Platitude and Sevenna Star but still has a mountain to climb on these terms.
Austrian School (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Slowly onto stride, raced wide towards rear, some late headway down outside, never on terms, 9th of 19, 4 1/4l behind Who Dares Wins (9-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) pol in Jun.
Hasanabad (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Made all, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Galway 1m 6f gd in Aug beating Sneaky Getaway (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Platitude 9-1 (9-5) Reluctant to race, at Salisbury 1m 6f stks (2) gd in Sep.
Sevenna Star (IRE) 100-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, tailed off, last of 19, dist behind Baghdad (9-8) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gd in Jun.
Withhold 10-1 (9-10) Close up, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 13th of 22, 14 1/4l behind Mustajeer (9-5) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.