mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, never nearer
tracked leader, every chance from over 2f out, until no extra final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leader, led inside final furlong, all out
led, driven over 3f out, strongly challenged throughout final 2f, headed inside finial furlong, rallied closing stages, kept on well
keen in rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, no extra closing stages
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched left to challenge over 1f out, never a threat
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
NonRunner
Gulf Of Poets has enjoyed a strong campaign and cannot be discounted off topweight whilst Gurkha Friend has landed victories the last twice at this venue and makes his return to action on a first start since early June with the champion jockey in the plate. Cote D'Azur battled on doughtily to nail a success latest and Waarif just continues to thrive with three wins from his last four handicap starts. He's been partnered by Conor McGovern to all three successes and it would be no surprise to see the combination defy the handicapper yet again. However, he's much worse off at the weights with MIKMAK on their running here this month and the consistent Easterby inmate is taken to reverse placings.
Gulf Of Poets 7-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never a threat, 3rd of 15, 1/2l behind Original Choice (9-1) at Wetherby 1m hcp (2) gs in May.
Waarif (IRE) 11-4fav (10-1) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, not clear run over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Ripon 1m hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Mikmak (9-10) by nk, 11 ran.
Cote d'Azur 10-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, made most, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jul beating Red Striker (8-5) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Borderforce (FR) 50-1 (9-1) Towards rear most of way, never involved, 15th of 17, 8 3/4l behind Seniority (9-2) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Gurkha Friend 11-8fav (9-7) Led 1f, pressed leader, led again well over 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, stayed on gamely, led again close home, won at Ripon 1m hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Frank Bridge (9-4) by ns, 7 ran.
Hayadh 20-1 (9-13) Steadied in rear, behind, headway on inside over 2f out, chasing leaders when not clear run entering final furlong, no danger after, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Waarif (10-1) at Ripon 1m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Just Hiss 16-1 (9-11) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Waarif (10-1) at Ripon 1m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Mikmak 3-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed closing stages, no extra, 2nd of 11, nk behind Waarif (10-1) at Ripon 1m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Two For Two (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Soon led, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Pumaflor (8-2) at Pontefract 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Fayez (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Held up in last pair, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, never a threat, 8th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Racemaker (9-4) at Redcar 1m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
