held up in last pair, steady headway on outside 5th, chased leaders after 3 out, driven in 3rd and held when hampered by loose horse before 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division on inside, lost place before 4 out, struggling and no chance after
chased leaders until fell 3rd
led, hit 6th, headed next, chased leader until 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, hampered 2nd, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, headway chasing leaders after next, 3rd before 2 out, no chance with leading duo, lost 3rd run-in
took keen hold in mid-division, outpaced 3 out, plugging on in well held 4th when mistake last, kept on into 3rd run-in
chased leader, led 7th, ridden and headed before 2 out, chased winner after, kept on same pace
chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, soon outpaced, plugging on but no chance when mistake 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 8th, 2nd going well 3 out, led before next, kept on well run-in
chased leaders on outside, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off, blundered last
A race that stands out compared to the rest of today’s card. Whataknight is the only one really proven at this level but he’s weighted accordingly and is having a first run since a beaten favourite in a £25,000 handicap at Haydock in May. Lord Topper is chasing a hat-trick of course and distance victories but Kings Lad was winning over fences in the spring and has had wind surgery since. BENEAGLES ground out a victory over 2m7f at Uttoxeter in July and is worth another try over this trip as the ground was heavy when he was only fourth at Warwick last winter. Perfect Man made a winning start for Olly Murphy at Market Rasen and looks to be on an upward curve and none of the others are readily dismissed in a competitive handicap for the track and time of year.
Whataknight 6-1jfav (11-6) Prominent, chased winner 3 out until 2 out, weakened flat, 7th of 17, 12 1/4l behind Monbeg Theatre (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Knight Of Noir (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Led, headed after 3 out, no extra from next, 4th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Dell' Arca (12-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Beneagles (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out until next, rallied under pressure run-in, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul beating Ennistown (11-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Lord Topper 11-4fav (12-1) Made all, soon clear, driven before 2 out, ridden between last 2, 2 lengths advantage last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Midnight Sapphire (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Tempestatefloresco 11-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, driven when rider dropped whip before 2 out, lost place before last, weakened flat, 7th of 8, 13l behind Psychedelic Rock (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Perfect Man (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-7) Tracked leader, driven after 3 out, ridden to lead next, drew clear from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Sporting Boy (11-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Kings Lad (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Led to 8th, led again after next, headed narrowly after 3 out (usual 4 out), regained lead when not fluent 2 out, soon hard pressed, ridden after last, held on gamely flat, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in May beating Antony (11-7) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Lillian (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Pressed leader, led 3 out, headed between last 2, ridden and one pace before last, no impression after, 4th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Forthefunofit (11-12) at Stratford 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Timeforben (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Held up in rear but in touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, every chance 2 out, led last, headed and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Vivant (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Night Generation (GER) 33-1 (11-3) Tracked winner, not fluent 4 out, winner clear 2 out, closed from last, just held, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind David John (11-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
