held up in 5th, switched left to outer over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, wandered left inside final furlong, always just doing enough
tracked leading pair, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, pushed along and joined over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, chased winner until inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd
pressed leader, upsides over 3f out, every chance 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leading trio, pushed along 5f out, plugged on into 2nd inside final furlong
LAND OF OZ continues to defy the handicapper in a style typical of one from Sir Mark Prescott’s yard. He won with plenty in hand over 2m at Kempton last week and scored over today’s shorter trip earlier. Young Merlin should also go well on the back of a victory over 1m6f at Sandown and that looks stronger form than Victoriano’s success at Bath last week. Luck Of Clover is usually thereabouts without winning and Whistler Bowl faces a more difficult task today upped in both class and trip.
Land Of Oz 4-6fav (8-3) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, went 2nd and poised to challenge over 1f out, shaken up to lead entering final furlong, quickened clear, eased towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Aug beating Le Torrent (9-6) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Young Merlin (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9f out, chased new leader and ridden 2f out, ridden to lead and wandered over 1f out, joined inside final furlong, held on gamely, all out, won at Sandown 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Buckman Tavern (9-4) by shd, 5 ran.
Victoriano (IRE) 3-1 (9-9) Pressed leader, led 4f out, ridden 3f out, edged right 2f out, edged left over 1f out, soon clear, stayed on, won at Bath 1m 6f hcp (6) gf in Aug beating Sinndarella (8-5) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Luck Of Clover 9-1 (8-2) Raced tracking leader who went clear after 3f, closed to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Champagne Marengo (8-2) at Ascot 2m hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Whistler Bowl 11-4fav (9-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5f out, led, 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Mukha Magic (9-3) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
