started slowly, behind, effort halfway, weakened over 1f out
led early, chased leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, not clear run well over 1f out to just inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish
soon led, headed 3f out, ridden halfway, weakened when not much room 1f out
with leaders, hung left throughout, ridden and every chance over 1f out, soon weakened
outpaced, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish
Continent is the class horse here but does have to give plenty of weight away and so we will turn our attention to High Reach, who is taken to beat Tom Tun and The Crooked Ring. The selection made a very pleasing return to the track when chasing home Iffraaj in a competitive handicap at Kempton recently. That was off a mark of 92, which doesn't put him too well in with most of these but he looks progressive and should be the one to land first prize. On official ratings Continent should beat the selection, but he usually needs a couple of runs before finding his form. And so the main threat to High Reach could be Tom Tun who finished an excellent second to Merlin's Dancer at Doncaster last week and should improve for the run. The Crooked Ring was in good form during the summer and if he isn't in need of the pipe opener he should be involved in the finish. So a tricky little race, but High Reach has strong claims and just gets the verdict.
Continent 28-1 Held up behind leaders, ridden when not much room 2f out, soon behind, last of 11, 14l behind La Cucaracha at Doncaster 6f lst stk gd.
Dragon Flyer (IRE) 16-1 Prominent stand side, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 9l behind Cape Royal at Doncaster 5f hcp gd.
High Reach 7-1 Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on but no extra when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Iffraaj at Kempton 6f hcp gd in Mar.
Mornin Reserves 10-1 Pressed leaders to halfway, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 16l behind Orientor at Sandown 5f Grp 3 (A) gs in Jul.
The Leather Wedge (IRE) 20-1 Made all, ridden and ran on, won at Southwell 5f clm (F4) fbs in Mar beating Golden Dixie by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Tom Tun 16-1 In touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Merlin's Dancer at Doncaster 6f hcp gd in Mar.
The Crooked Ring 11-2 Held up far side, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 21, 2l behind Pivotal Flame at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (B1) sft in Oct.
