Verus Delicia won't be far away again if reproducing the form of his latest course and distance second and is preferred to Dutiful Son, well beaten in a maiden here 10 days ago. John Stimpson's charge appears to have the beating of Niceonemyson. Secret City and Orwellian would have claims on past form and both are course and distance winners but Rex Romanorum probably needs further help from the handicapper. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE has been eased a further pound since a staying-on third over 5f at Nottingham. He has his ground today and it will be a surprise if he's not in the firing-line.
Rex Romanorum (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 11, 12l behind Confusing (9-3) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sep.
Verus Delicia (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Slowly away, held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, soon headway, stayed on and snatched 2nd place close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Lees Anthem (8-8) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sep.
Dutiful Son (IRE) 2-1 (9-5) Dwelt, held up headway 4f out, chased leaders 2f out, soon driven along, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 9l behind Adiator (8-10) at Redcar 6f mdn stks (5) sft.
World Record (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Tracked leader until 3f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 5, 11l behind Aglaophonos (8-7) at Pontefract 1m 3yo clm (5) gd.
Secret City (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 18l behind Fanoos (9-3) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Mitchum 40-1 (9-1) Chased winner until 2f out, chased leaders and soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong,, 9th of 13, 13l behind Royal Holiday (9-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Botteen (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) In touch, edged left and weakened over 2f out, soon behind, 12th of 13, 20l behind Royal Holiday (9-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Belle Intrigue 14-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon lost place, 8th of 9, 13l behind Empowerment (9-7) at Folkestone 6f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep '12.
Mission Impossible 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to take 3rd well inside final furlong, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Ace Master (8-11) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy.
See Clearly 14-1 (8-9) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, hung right and faded inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 8l behind Perfect Pasture (8-12) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
Niceonemyson 14-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed final furlong, kept on and joined 3rd on line, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Lees Anthem (8-8) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sep.
Mowhoob 8-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 23l behind Trixie Malone (8-2) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sep.
Orwellian 10-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Beckermet (9-5) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Thorpe Bay 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 10l behind China Excels (9-4) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
One Kool Dude 12-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Powerful Pierre (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp (6) pol.
Ad Vitam (IRE) 11-2fav (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same opace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Deliberation (8-9) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Fair Bunny 33-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 11l behind Ambitious Icarus (9-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sep.
Partner's Gold (IRE) 22-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, held when hampered entering final furlong, 4th of 5, 6l behind Manatee Bay (8-3) at Hamilton 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep.
Insolenceofoffice (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Mandalay King (9-10) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
