led, driven 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd near finish
tracked leader on outer, ridden and lost place over 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway when not clear run and switched to inside rail well over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and one pace over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division on inside, switched right and headway well over 1f out, ridden 1f out, stayed well inside final furlong to go 2nd near finish
held up mid-division on outside, driven 2f out, ridden and stayed on under pressure to go 4th inside final furlong, no chance with leading trio
held up behind, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
RAINBOW MIRAGE is taken to reverse form with Exit Smiling and land this contest; Dabbers Ridge and Desert Hunter are not easily dismissed. Ed McMahon's gelding ran a fine race on his penultimate start so it was no surprise to see the money pour in last time, but he disappointed with no obvious excuse. Off the same mark many will rule him out quickly but we're keen to give the horse one more chance as that prior effort was an eye-catching one and he appears fairly treated. Exit Smiling has to be considered a threat having finished in fourth that Nottingham contest especially as he's now 1lb below his last winning mark and has Tony Culhane back in the plate. The concern would be his best form has come on ground with cut and that's enough for us to narrowly oppose the eight-year-old. Dabbers Ridge has re-found himself of late and proved he gets further with a nine furlong success at Wolverhampton. He then ran a taking race at Ascot back over seven to confirm he's in rude health but the handicapper seems to be catching up with him and perhaps a place is his best hope following a 2lb rise. Likewise Desert Hunter has gone up a couple of pounds but he's a course and distance winner who loves stiff tracks and consequently can't be ruled out. In contrast Ninth House has reserved his best for flatter tests over the years and is opposed along with Ballinteni, whose claiming win will have done him good, however he'd be better off were this over 1m2f. This looks the hardest puzzle to solve on a tricky card but a chance is taken on Rainbow Mirage bouncing back.
Royal Dignitary (USA) 15-8fav (9-2) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 4th of 6, 11l behind Lang Shining (9-8) at Epsom Downs 1m clm stks (5) gf in Jul.
Ballinteni 5-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 2f out, soon ridden and hard pressed, stayed on under pressure final furlong, won at Redcar 1m 2f clm stks (6) fm in Jul beating Back To Paris (9-1) by 1l, 7 ran.
Motafarred (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Held up, lost place over 6f out, hampered over 3f out, not a danger after, 9th of 15, 24l behind Veiled Applause (8-6) at York 1m 2f app hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Behind stands side, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Rosko (9-3) at Ascot 7f ladys hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Rainbow Mirage (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Held up towards rear on outside, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 9l behind Christmas Carnival (8-13) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
Ilie Nastase (FR) 5-1fav (9-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on near finish, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Army Of Stars (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Ours (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, some headway on outside over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 14l behind Flying Silks (9-12) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Ninth House (USA) 9-2fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway and pushed along when not much room over 1f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 11, 5l behind Daring Dream (9-5) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Exit Smiling 10-1 (9-6) Prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Christmas Carnival (8-13) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
Persian Peril 9-1 (9-10) Towards rear, some late headway, never a factor, 7th of 11, 9l behind Jonny Lesters Hair (9-4) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Desert Hunter (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, soon switched right, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 1 1/4l behind Flying Silks (9-12) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Aussie Blue (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 14, 7l behind Mr Chocolate Drop (8-8) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Jul.
