raced wide keen in touch, pushed along 3f out, switched wide 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong
in touch in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression final furlong
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led over 1f out, pushed out, comfortable
TOP RANK enters the handicap ranks defending an unbeaten record. He’s been absent since April but looks the type to run well fresh and an opening mark of 83 could be underestimating his abilities. Sash has had a good campaign and is seeking a fourth victory of the year but recent rain would not have been welcome. Nicklaus is the only four-year-old in the line-up and still 4lb higher than when successful at Yarmouth more than a year ago. He’s another who wouldn’t want the ground to ease. Gin Palace couldn’t cope with a 5lb rise when on a hat-trick at Newbury while Reloaded has gone up 2lb since a beaten favourite at Lingfield 12 days ago.
Nicklaus 5-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Yattwee (9-8) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (2) pol in Aug.
Sash 7-2 (9-10) Made all, ridden and pressed over 1f out, held on well, won at Bath 1m hcp (4) fm in Sep beating Tell William (8-10) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Dark Jedi (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Tracked leader, came to near side rail in straight, pushed along 3f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 11 1/2l behind Escobar (10-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Reloaded (IRE) 5-2fav (9-6) Held up, pushed along over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, finished well, took 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Kachumba (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Gin Palace 7-2 (9-1) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led narrowly halfway, pushed along over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, lost 2nd approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Lyndon B (9-7) at Sandown 1m hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Top Rank (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on, readily, won at Thirsk 1m stks (5) gf in Apr beating Lehoogg (9-9) by 2l, 13 ran.