led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
slowly into stride, always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, one pace and lost 2nd final strides
mid-division, came stands side 4f out, soon ridden, eased 3f out, pulled up 2f out
close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
close up, ridden 3f out, no impression from over 1f out
held up towards rear, wide and headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd final strides
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, never nearer
in touch, headway 3f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
keen to post, in touch, came to stands side 4f out, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on, eased close home
always towards rear
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
Medieval was only beaten half-a-length by the in-form Exec Chef and then finished fifth in the Cambridgeshire consolation at Newmarket. He is 2lb better off with Jim Boyle’s three-year-old and looks to be back to his best so goes on the short-list. This, however, is a very competitive handicap and Zeelander has a chance if handling the drop back in distance. Whitlock has run well since racking up a double at Windsor and Newmarket in August while any give in the ground will suit Appointed, who is now 5lb lower than for his last win. Existential remains unexposed but that is also the case with COLLIDE (NAP), who handles soft but possibly didn’t enjoy the heavy ground when a beaten favourite last month at Ayr. Petite Jack and Frown are both capable on their day but possibly a few pounds too high at present.
Cote d'Azur 25-1 (9-10) Overall leader far side, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 19, 16 1/2l behind Jazeel (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Medieval (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Close up centre, ridden 2f out, hampered and switched left over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 19, 1 3/4l behind Jazeel (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Frown 5-1 (10-0) Keen, held up in last pair, headway towards near side rail chasing leaders over 3f out, pushed along when slightly hampered on rail 2f out, soon struggling, 5th of 6, 6 3/4l behind Lorelina (9-12) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp fll (2) gs in Aug.
Contrast (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Power of Darkness (8-6) at Salisbury 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Exec Chef (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Prominent in chasing group, closer 4f out, led approaching final furlong, driven out, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Sep beating Medieval (9-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Zeelander 9-4fav (9-6) Prominent early, tracked leaders, challenged 3f out, led over 2f out, edged left and headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 3 3/4l behind Archi's Affaire (9-8) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Contango (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Short of room and lost place soon after start, held up behind, ridden 2f out, never a threat, 7th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Mafaaheem (9-8) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Existential (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) Led, joined over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, lost 2nd and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 9 1/2l behind Simply Breathless (8-12) at Ascot 1m hcp fll (2) gf in Sep.
Whitlock 9-2 (9-6) Chased leader, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed and not pace of winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Knight Errant (9-6) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Appointed 16-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden 2f out, headway under pressure entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Lorelina (9-7) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp fll (2) hvy in Sep.
Lord Of The Rock (IRE) 4-1fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Explain (8-10) at Ayr 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Collide 6-4fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, driven and unable to quicken inside final 2f, soon ridden, no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Mafaaheem (9-8) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Indian Chief (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Dwelt, held up in rear, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, never involved, last of 8, 11 1/2l behind Mafaaheem (9-8) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Compton Mill 11-2 (8-13) Led, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, chased winner, no chance over 1f out, weakened and lost 2 places inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Temple Church (9-9) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (3) sft in Sep.
Petite Jack 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never troubled leaders, 10th of 11, 6l behind Across Dubai (8-11) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Sep.
Kenstone (FR) 8-1 (9-7) Keen held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Dragons Voice (9-4) at Sandown 1m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
