slowly into stride, always behind
prominent, every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, not clear run over 2f out, switched left to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead close home
short of room soon after start, mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never a threat
held up, never dangerous
steadied start, held up in rear, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
stumbled start, mid-division, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
Sharja Bridge will be popular here given he won a Nottingham maiden last month with consummate ease. An opening handicap mark of 95 is not overly generous, however, and he has to give 9lb here to the in-form ANGEL DOWN (NAP). Henry Candy’s gelding won at Newmarket in June and only had to be pushed out to score again at Windsor last month so a 5lb rise looks fair. See The Master won twice in July but was then turned over by Frank Bridge here when chasing a hat-trick and couldn’t justify favouritism at Goodwood subsequently. Almoreb has each-way claims and so does Manson but it’s difficult to fancy any of the other older horses on these terms.
Manson 14-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Mustashry (9-10) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (2) pol in Aug.
Secret Art (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden inside final 2f, weakened and eased final furlong, 10th of 11, 20 3/4l behind Leader Writer (8-12) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Frank Bridge 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 19, 9 1/4l behind Johnny Barnes (9-3) at Goodwood 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Sharja Bridge 4-6fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon clear, easily, won at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Aug beating Rising (9-6) by 4l, 11 ran.
Pensax Boy 14-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Aug beating Ibazz (8-12) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
The Grape Escape (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Prominent stand side, driven 2f out, weakened final furlong, 20th of 29, 19 3/4l behind Bless Him (8-9) at Ascot 1m hcp stks (2) gf in Jun.
Almoreb (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon not much room, switched left, kept on strongly towards finish, joined leader on line, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Aug beating Golden Goal (9-5), 10 ran.
Sir Roderic (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 12, 7 1/2l behind Penwortham (8-0) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Fox Trotter (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, one pace, over 1f out, no chance with clear pair final furlong, 3rd of 7, 7 1/4l behind Cape Byron (8-12) at Ascot 1m stks (3) sft in Sep.
Calvados Spirit 4-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, challenged going well 2f out, ridden and found little over 1f out, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Celebration Day (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Mr Bossy Boots (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, 7 1/4l behind Masham Star (9-3) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (2) pol in Sep.
Angel Down 5-2 (8-12) Tracked leading trio, headway on outside over 2f out, 2nd inside final 2f, led entering final furlong, soon clear, won at Windsor 1m hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Repercussion (9-13) by 2l, 5 ran.
See The Master (IRE) 9-2jfav (9-0) Tracked leader, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Mountain Hunter (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
