slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, never dangerous
tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra closing stages
outpaced towards rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
chased leaders, smooth headway 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed closing stages, kept on
led until over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, never able to challenge
Nonrunner
TANAASUB faces older horses for the first time and has a 9lb rise to contend with after her Haydock victory. But she had earlier landed a maiden here and is progressing fast enough to complete a hat-trick. Cersei landed a soft-ground Redcar maiden in April and has performed well in all three starts in handicaps subsequently. The veteran Meandmyshadow has won 14 times but not since October while Love Island is on an even longer losing run. Rural Celebration was running well earlier in the season but seems to have gone off the boil while Birdcage finished last on her debut for Richard Fahey after arriving from Ireland, though she probably didn't enjoy the turns at Chester.
Birdcage 20-1 (9-6) In touch, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced, no headway, last of 10, 7 3/4l behind Lady Clair (9-2) at Chester 5f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Rural Celebration 9-2 (9-12) Prominent, not much room after 1f, chased leaders, driven 2f out, no extra final 75 yards, 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Emerald Loch (9-2) at Carlisle 6f hcp fll (4) gs in Jul.
Love Island 10-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, ridden and struggling over 3f out, 14th of 15, 13 1/2l behind Bashiba (8-9) at Doncaster 5f hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Cersei 6-1 (9-0) Chased winner 1f, chased leading pair, went 2nd again halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Gravity Flow (9-7) at Windsor 6f hcp fll (4) gf in Aug.
Meandmyshadow 8-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon hung left, ran on closing stages, never a threat, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Belledesert (9-11) at Nottingham 6f hcp fll (4) gf in Aug.
Tanaasub (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Went right start, made all, pushed out, readily, won at Haydock 6f hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Big Amigo (9-5) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Willbeme 25-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3l behind Snap Shots (9-11) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug.