went right start, led 10f out, headed over 5f out, led again 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well
always in rear, behind final 4f
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left and kept on one pace final furlong
raced keenly, in touch, joined leader 7f out, led over 5f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
led 2f, chased leader after, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, improved 3f out, chased winner and every chance from over 1f out, unable to quicken near finish
Potentially trappy this but we will side with The Geezer to be good enough to dispose of chief rivals Classic Punch, Grand Passion and Hard Top. The selection drops back in trip from some more extreme distances but that should not inconvenience and this Group 3 winner has stamina and ground conditions in his favour in addition to being best off at the weights on official ratings so he looks the one to be on. Classic Punch finished two-and-a-half lengths to the good over Hard Top over c&d last time out on soft ground, but is now 10lb worse off with that rival and even taking into account this better ground that should be enough to reverse the placings. Grand Passion was a further 4l adrift of Hard Top that day and as the pair meet on the same terms then that particulat form should be upheld, but none of those rivals has as much in their favour as The Geezer, who can take this prize.
Classic Punch (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led after 2f, headed 6f out, driven and led again over 1f out, soon hung right, stayed on well, won at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stk (1) sft in Jun beating Hard Top (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Amwell Brave 9-1 (9-7) Keen, held up in rear, wide from over 3f out, headway under pressure to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 7l behind Josh You Are (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Grand Passion (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 7l behind Classic Punch (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stk (1) sft in Jun.
Hard Top (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, held when rider dropped reins inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Classic Punch (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stk (1) sft in Jun.
The Geezer 11-8fav (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 4, 3 1/2l behind Balkan Knight (9-3) at Sandown 2m lst stk (1) gs.
New Beginning (IRE) 100-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, some headway over 3f out, never nearer, 5th of 7, 12l behind Harland (8-8) at Sandown 1m 2f lst stk (1) sft.
