tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed and no extra final furlong
mid division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, driven and weakened 2f out
in rear, headway 3f out, stayed on final furlong
led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
mid division, never troubled leaders
mid division, driven 3f out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden 2f out, driven to lead final furlong, kept on well
chased leaders, driven and weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, never troubled leaders
in rear, stayed on final 2f
towards rear, some late headway, not pace to challenge
always in rear
slowly into stride, never dangerous
Robert The Painter completed a hat-trick over this course and distance at the last meeting beating NO POPPY narrowly. An 8lb rise is partly offset by her rider's claim while the runner-up, who should be better suited by the softer ground, has her 7lb rise reduced by 5lb for Adam Carter's allowance and looks well enough in to go one better. Suits Me likes it around here but was put in his place by the selection on heavy ground at York in October while the in-form The Rectifier has only raced on soft ground once when almost last in a big field at Ascot. Kevin Ryan's horses are in tremendous form so Trail Blaze must be kept on the right side, especially as he will love the conditions, while the lightly-raced three-year-old Haafaguinea ran better than his finishing position suggests in the Betfred Mile at Goodwood.
Robert The Painter (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Good speed from wide draw to lead on rail and set steady pace, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Ripon 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd beating No Poppy (8-11) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
The Rectifier (USA) 14-1 (9-11) Held up behind, headway on outside 2f out, challenged 1f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, stayed on well to regain lead final stride, won at York 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul beating Smarty Socks (10-0) by hd, 14 ran.
Trail Blaze (IRE) 5-1fav (9-8) Took keen hold tracking leaders, effort when hung right inside final furlong, stayed on well, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Norse Blues (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Captain Bertie (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon lost place, 16th of 18, 12l behind Wentworth (8-10) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gd.
Suits Me 13-2 (9-12) Pushed along to lead, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Le Chat D'or (8-9) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Jul.
Haafaguinea 20-1 (8-9) Behind until some late headway, never nearer, 12th of 18, 7l behind Wentworth (8-10) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gd.
Justonefortheroad 66-1 (8-8) Raced near side, always behind, 26th of 29, 21l behind Galician (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Osteopathic Remedy (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 16, 15l behind Norse Blues (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Ardmay (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Soon chased leaders, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 19l behind Suits Me (9-1) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Anton Chigurh 22-1 (10-0) Switched right start, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, eased when well held close home, 8th of 16, 8l behind Robert The Painter (9-13) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Dubai Dynamo 7-1 (9-11) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no threat, 7th of 16, 7l behind Robert The Painter (9-13) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
No Poppy (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Chased leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out, pushed along and tried to challenge inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Robert The Painter (9-13) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Compton 33-1 (8-4) Raced near side, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 29, 30l behind Galician (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Desert Revolution 5-2 (8-7) Soon led, joined 2f out, ridden over 1f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Spirit Of The Law (8-13) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
