towards rear, driven and headway from inner over 3f out, no extra final 2f
led, pushed along over 4f out, headed over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
in touch, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, effort over 3f out, never on terms
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead briefly inside final furlong, no extra close home
held up behind leaders, driven over 3f out, soon beaten
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, headway to lead over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
in touch, driven over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on under pressure
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace final 2f
Empangeni has shown progressive form over similar trips of late, losing no caste in defeat behind Taxman at Newcastle last month and is fancied to defy another 2lb rise in the weights with Rule For Ever and Reggae Rhythm rated the biggest dangers. Rule For Ever has claims on the evidence of the form shown at Ayr last month but has disappointed at Musselburgh subsequently and may be best watched at present. Reggae Rhythm is a versatile performer and is relatively lightly raced this term but this looks tougher than the race that he ran in at Goodwood earlier this month. Andy Turnell's Lord Nellsson is entitled to be thereabouts but may be booked for a place at best once more, while Villago needs to improve on recent evidence. Empangeni has done little wrong of late though and with the extra trip expected to suit, John Dunlop's three-year-old is taken to resume winning ways.
Vicars Destiny 10-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, behind, headway 6f out, ridden outpaced over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 14, 11l behind Skye's Folly (9-12) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Ocean Tide 9-2 (9-9) Prominent, pushed along halfway, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 10, 25l behind Quedex (9-4) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-75 (E) gs in Jul '04.
Rule For Ever Evensfav (8-9) Led, headed and tracked leader after 5f, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 7l behind Tarabut (8-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Villago (GER) 9-1 (9-5) In touch, outpaced 4f out, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 14, 4l behind Skye's Folly (9-12) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Empangeni 7-2jt-fav (9-4) Towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Taxman (8-5) at Newcastle 2m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sept.
Lord Nellsson 14-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden along 2f out, weakened and headed close home, 2nd of 10, hd behind Mersey Sound (9-1) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) frm in Sept.
Kaluana Court 16-1 (11-2) Close up until weakened 2f out, 11th of 16, 14l behind Sir Monty (11-5) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Robbo 16-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 8l behind Moonshine Beach (9-8) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (E3) gd.
Reggae Rhythm (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Behind, steady headway from 4f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 16, 1l behind Sir Monty (11-5) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Aristi (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Typhoon Tilly (9-8) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Kayf Aramis 33-1 (7-12) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 14, 11l behind Skye's Folly (9-12) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
