tracked leading pair, not fluent 1st, went 2nd 6th, led after 3 out and soon clear, not fluent and headed soon after last, no extra run-in
held up, took closer order 5th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, every chance soon after last but not pace of winner
pulled hard, held up, closer order after 5th, weakened soon after 3 out
tracked leader, ridden after 6th, driven and struggling 3 out
led, hit 4th, headed after 3 out, weakened rapidly, well beaten when fell 2 out
held up behind leaders, closer order 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, chance before last, found no extra run-in
moderate effort 6th, always well behind
held up, took closer order 5th, chased leaders after 3 out, challenged last, led soon after and quickened clear, driven out
pecked 2nd, behind, ridden and struggling 4 out, well behind when hit next and pulled up
raced wide, pulled hard, held up, headway to chase leaders 6th, weakening when fell 3 out
ROYAL RATIONALE holds all the aces here and can take this from Mid Valley and Muraco. The David Pipe-trained selection has already won a similar contest at Chepstow back in April and has been carrying a penalty ever since. Even so, he is in good form and went well when last seen out at Newton Abbot in August, so with trip and ground to suit we'll side with him. Mid Valley is another who enjoys a faster surface and put in a pleasing debut when third at Huntingdon. There could be improvement to come and Timmy Murphy is a good choice of pilot for the job today. Muraco was runner up to the very useful Levera, also at Huntingdon, last month, and again trip and ground suit and there is surely improvement to come, so he is very much respected. It will be interesting to see if Apache Dawn gets home over this trip, having been a miler on the level, but Northern Spy will want every yard of this and could go well. Passato can improve plenty for a reasonable debut last month, but Royal Rationale is preferred here.
Royal Rationale (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, effort next, went 2nd approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Histoire De Moeurs (10-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl (3) gd in Aug.
Apache Dawn 7-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, not clear run briefly and switched right soon after, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 3/4l behind dhtrs Pembo (8-10) & Mick Is Back (9-9) at Bath 1m 3yo & 4yo sll (6) sft (Flat).
Mid Valley 9-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway 5th, challenged 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Proper (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Muraco 40-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden next, stayed on well, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Levera (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Nanosecond (USA) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 5th, chased clear leaders 3 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Basalt (10-12) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Northern Spy (USA) 20-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, plenty to do 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 13l behind Muhannak (9-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Aug (Flat).
Passato (GER) 100-1 (10-10) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 11, 33l behind Option Money (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Wyeth 7-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, soon wandered, driven out, won at Bath 1m 5f amt hcp 0-80 (5) sft beating Munlochy Bay (11-6) by a nk, 11 ran (Flat).
Bowcombe Creek (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Soon prominent, ridden 6f out, eased when beaten final 2f, 6th of 7, well behind Royal Scoundrel (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Aug.
Samahir (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Led, ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 7l behind Al Rayanah (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m fll hcp (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
Pat Will (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) Close up 4f, 15th of 17, 35l behind Montemayorprincess (8-8) at Leicester 7f 3yo sll (6) gd (Flat).
