chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly
steadied start, held up in rear, headway halfway, chased winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms
led until over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out, soon one pace
mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, lost place over 2f out
This will be the lowest grade that CASPAR NETCHER has performed at since he landed the Gimcrack in 2011. He hasn't won since landing a Group 2 in Germany last May but his overall form, including at the highest level, gives him the edge. The three-year-old Top Notch Tonto faces a stiff task conceding him 3lb but he continues to thrive and produced his best run to date when landing a Group 3 on ground with some give at Haydock. Firebeam finished runner-up in this last year and his chances would be helped by more rain while Dutch Rose is a tough handicapper though she's been beaten when stepped up to this level in the past. Taayel won a conditions race over 6f at Doncaster before a poor run at Newmarket which didn't look his true form.
Top Notch Tonto (IRE) 22-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway 3f out, led 2f out, 2 lengths clear entering final furlong, ran on, won at Haydock 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in Sep beating Hay Dude (8-11) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Caspar Netscher 10-1 (9-4) Held up, good headway to track leaders 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Viztoria (8-11) at Doncaster 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Sep.
Dandy Boy (ITY) 14-1 (9-5) Slowest away, keen hold early, towards rear, 10th and kept on without threatening from 1f out, 10th of 13, 2l behind Russian Soul (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Firebeam 12-1 (9-2) Overall leader centre, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Tawhid (8-13) at Newbury 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Sep.
Taayel (IRE) 5-2 (8-11) Led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 11l behind Tropics (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in Aug.
You Da One 5-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Ocean Tempest (9-5) at Chester 1m hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Sep.
Dutch Rose (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, strong challenge close home, just failed, 2nd of 9, ns behind Pacific Heights (9-5) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Sep.
Galician 12-1 (9-6) With leader centre, ridden when groups merged over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Redvers (9-0) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Royal Rascal 50-1 (8-9) Dwelt always in rear, 14th of 17, 24l behind Society Rock (9-13) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in May.