soon chased leaders on outside, ran on but not pace of winner inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, pushed out
keen hold tracking leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
slowly away and always behind
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, soon headed and not pace of winner
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, pushed along halfway, kept on final furlong but never going pace to reach leaders
chased leaders over 3f
Matsunosuke gets the vote ahead of Gwilym, Pic Up Sticks, and Safari Mischief. Matsunosuke is out to get the losses back after being sent of as favourite at Folkestone four days ago when he endured a luckless run under Jamie Spencer. He managed to finish third after finally seeing daylight, and remains in consistent form. Add to that the fact that he has a terrific record at Sandown, having only once failed to reach the frame at least in seven visits, and he looks all set to make a bold bid to record course-and-distance victory number three. He is better off at the weights today with both Gwilym and Pic Up Sticks who were behind Scoby Coogan's charge here at the end of last month, and it is hard to see either of that pair turning the form around. In addition, he is 3lb better off with Safari Mischief on Folkestone running, so by a process of elimination, all of his main rivals have something to find at the weights. The selection just has to be Matsunosuke, despite the burden of being drawn in stall one, which appears to be the only negative factor.
Safari Mischief 8-1 (8-12) Chased winner, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Loch Verdi (9-5) at Folkestone 5f hcap (4) gf.
Matsunosuke 3-1fav (8-11) Steadied start, held up in last place, headway and not clear run over 1f out, ran on towards finish, to much to do, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Loch Verdi (9-5) at Folkestone 5f hcap (4) gf.
Pic Up Sticks 5-2fav (9-8) Slowly into stride, behind, headway 2f out, staying on when not clear run well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Digital (8-8) at Bath 6f hcap (5) frm.
Quality Street 12-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Capricorn Run (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Avening 12-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon in touch, short lived effort on far rail over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 5l behind Shes Minnie (9-3) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Gwilym (GER) 10-1 (9-1) With winner, driven and held over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Canadian Danehill (9-9) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Held up, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind For Life (8-1) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Rainbow Bay 20-1 (8-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 15, 9l behind Glasshoughton (9-7) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Kings College Boy 7-1 (9-3) Always rear division, 10th of 13, 5l behind Making Music (8-8) at Beverley 5f hcap (5) gf.