towards rear, headway 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
in touch, led halfway, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
ridden along to chase leaders, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden along halfway and weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed halfway, weakened final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, ridden along halfway, driven over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
started slowly, always rear division
Lots of exposed handicappers here and finding the winner is not easy, but we will side with Malcheek to get the better of Compton's Eleven and Ice Planet, with Aegean Dancer and Highland Warrior not out of it. Malcheek was a c&d scorer from 4lb lower than this on his penultimate start, before that rise got the better of him last time. Tim Easterby is clearly happy that his gelding acts well here and so the return trip can pay off if he can hold that sort of form. Compton's Eleven seens to win around once a year and he did that last time out. He looks handicapped up to the hilt following a 3lb rise and he will do well to follow up. Ice Planet has a c&d win to his name and is more than capable from this mark of 90, despite his defeat here last time. Better is expected here. Aegean Dancer beat Celtic Mill at Musselburgh in June but a 6lb rise found him last time and 1lb less here should not make too much difference, while Highland Warrior is inconsistent, but it is his turn to show up well and with his yard in from he might just do so, so we will take Malcheek to score.
Ice Planet 16-1 (8-10) Led stands side group, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 12th of 22, 6l behind Kostar (9-6) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Malcheek (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) In touch far side, ridden along over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 22, 1 1/2l behind Kostar (9-6) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Damika (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Behind, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 16l behind Bel Cantor (8-4) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jul.
Aegean Dancer 5-1 (9-1) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 13, 7l behind Judd Street (9-7) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
Compton's Eleven 5-1 (9-10) Always prominent, led 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug beating Certain Justice (8-11) by a shd, 17 ran.
Distinctly Game 25-1 (8-13) Raced far side, chased leaders, led group over 1f out, soon headed, one pace inside final furlong, 7th of 18, 3l behind Golden Dixie (9-3) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Captain Hurricane 7-1 (9-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 4l behind High Curragh (9-6) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Highland Warrior 14-1 (9-4) Dwelt and towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 12, 6l behind Final Dynasty (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jul.
Inter Vision (USA) 33-1 (8-3) Mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 18, 6l behind River Falcon (8-13) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Paris Bell 8-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, pulled hard towards rear, never dangerous, 13th of 17, 7l behind Compton's Eleven (9-10) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Coleorton Dancer 8-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 13l behind Commando Scott (8-4) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gs in May.
