led, headed over 3f out and soon short of room and lost action, weakened final furlong
in touch, hampered over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, not clear run over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on, not reach leaders
always towards rear
headway to mid-division halfway, ridden and no impression final furlong
slowly away in rear, effort 2f out, no impression final furlong
soon prominent from wide draw, effort when hampered and carried left inside final furlong, ridden and quickened to lead near finish
raced wide in touch, headway halfway, weakened final furlong
prominent, led over 3f out, soon edged right, ridden and hung badly left inside final furlong, headed near finish
tracked leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, rallied inside final furlong
close up, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
slowly away in rear, ridden halfway, headway inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, lost place quickly over 3f out
A high draw is a bit of a worry but G FORCE was hugely impressive when winning a handicap at York last time. He looks to be making excellent progress and should take all the beating. Strategical is interesting, despite an absence. The Godolphin colt completed a hat-trick here in August and has plenty of speed. Ambiance beat Langavat in this grade over track and trip last July and was highly tried after. He's tried in blinkers after disappointing on his reappearance but did finish behind Extortionist in the Flying Childers at Doncaster in September. Bath second Reroute can't be ignored but Sleepy Sioux has more to do than when winning at Windsor and Merletta's yard is enduring a quiet spell.
Ambiance (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Chased leading trio, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 9l behind Shamshon (9-7) at York 5f 3yo stk (2) gd in May.
Extortionist (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Awkwardly away keen held up, ridden halfway, never on terms, 10th of 11, 6l behind Sole Power (9-2) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in May.
G Force (IRE) 9-4fav (9-4) Held up in mid-division, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, quickened up smartly to lead inside final furlong, eased close home, won at York 5f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May beating Speed Hawk (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
Langavat (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, prominent, pushed along and lost place over 2f out, not much room when weakening over 1f out, last of 9, 16l behind Musical Comedy (9-0) at Newbury 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Speedfiend 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 20l behind Mick's Yer Man (9-0) at Ascot 6f 3yo lst stk (1) sft in Apr.
Strategical (USA) 11-8 (9-13) Slowly into stride and went left start, soon switched right to rail, went 3rd over 3f out, smooth headway between horses to lead over 1f out, shaken up and came clear inside final furlong, won at Sandown 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug beating Urban Dreamer (8-8) by 2l, 4 ran.
Wind Fire (USA) 4-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, pushed along over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Musical Comedy (9-0) at Newbury 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Abbakova (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, 10th of 12, 17l behind Hot Streak (9-0) at Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Hay Chewed (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Raced alone under stands side rail, led until ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 17l behind Shamshon (9-7) at York 5f 3yo stk (2) gd in May.
Merletta 11-8 (9-0) Led 1f, tracked leader, led again over 2f out, driven out, won at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Potentate (9-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
One Chance (IRE) 22-1 (8-11) Steadied and switched left start, in touch in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, driven to go 2nd inside final furlong, no threat to winner, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Shamshon (9-7) at York 5f 3yo stk (2) gd in May.
Perfect Blessings (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) With leader, led inside final 2f, headed and ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Joyeuse (8-12) at Haydock 6f fll lst stks (1) sft in May.
Simple Magic (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Slowly away, soon in touch racing keenly, pushed along and lost place from 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 8l behind Musical Comedy (9-0) at Newbury 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Sleepy Sioux 3-1fav (9-7) Chased leaders on outside, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well, driven out, won at Windsor 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May beating Groundworker (8-10) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Reroute (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) Held up off the pace towards rear, switched right 2f out, headway soon after, hung left and led inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner final 110 yards, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Ladies Are Forever (9-0) at Bath 5f fll lst stks (1) fm in Apr.
