slowly away, behind, headway on outer over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, effort over 4f out, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, one pace
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
led, headed over 3f out, weakened final 2f
towards rear, driven along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong
soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon hampered and weakened
always behind
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, one pace
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
Gracechurch is the pick in the finale ahead of Top Jaro, Sforzando and Mistress Twister to name but a few. Gracechurch has in the main been difficult to place, but there was a lot to like about his effort at Lingfield 18 days ago when second to Regent's Park. That came as no surprise after his rather unlucky fifth at Sandown the time before, and he is still reasonably handicapped compared to his course-and-distance success in March. He gets a sporting vote over the others such as Top Jaro who shaped well at Ayr after a long break. All the better for that, he has some scope and should be kept on the right side. Sforzando won with a bit in hand at Haydock last time, but that was over a mile-and-a half and he may not be suited by this shorter trip. Mistress Twister has topweight, but has won here in the past, while Gala Sunday will like the ground, and with his girl rider taking off some weight, he must have an outside chance. For the winner we return to Gracechurch.
Sforzando 20-1 (9-4) Started slowly and towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong and ran on, won at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Oddsmaker (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Tanforan 16-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 13, 17l behind dhtrs Mezuzah (9-1) & King Harson (9-1) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Shape Up (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Prominent, driven 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 5l behind Dzesmin (8-9) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Bright Sun (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Chased leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) frm beating Turn Of Phrase (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dium Mac 6-1 (9-7) Pulled hard towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, hung left and one pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, nk behind Rotuma (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Exit Smiling 7-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 22l behind Shifty (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Jul.
Top Jaro (FR) 14-1 (9-4) Held up, mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Freeloader (9-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Playtotheaudience 50-1 (9-4) Behind, outpaced halfway, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 14l behind Daaweitza (8-7) at Redcar 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Gracechurch (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Close up, lost place before straight, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner 1f out, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Regent's Park (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Stargazer Jim (FR) 5-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, led 1f out, ridden clear, won at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (5) pol in Nov beating African Sahara (8-9) by 2l, 12 ran.
Gala Sunday (USA) 8-1 (9-13) Went left start, tracked leaders, lost place 6f out, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Silverhay (10-3) at Redcar 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Trouble Mountain (USA) 4-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, outpaced 4f out, rallied over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 13l behind Rotuma (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Apsara 8-1 (9-8) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, outpaced over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bright Sun (9-8) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) frm.
West Highland Way (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden over 3f out, effort over 2f out, never near to challenge, 5th of 12, 6l behind Up Tempo (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp (E3) pol in Oct '04.
Wasalat (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Slowly away, in rear, ridden well over 2f out, soon headway, stayed on well inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bright Sun (9-8) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) frm.
Prince of Love (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct beating Opera Comica (9-6) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Mistress Twister 10-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 11l behind Freeloader (9-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
