led, took keen hold, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on and no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, behind, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon headed, no extra
slowly into stride, behind, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led final furlong, headed inside last 150 yards, rallied and soon regained lead, kept on
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out and outpaced, ridden over 1f out, kept on well and hung left inside final furlong, nearest at finish
tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed final furlong, no extra inside final furlong
very slowly away, detached in rear, outpaced and never dangerous
with leaders, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace
Sprints here can be draw dependent but only nine runners contest this opener. Taajub is not getting any younger but has clearly dropped to a fair mark judged on last week’s second over course and distance. OPERATIVE wasn’t winning out of turn at Goodwood last month and may be good enough to defy a 4lb rise as he’s still getting 3lb from Piazon, who hasn’t raced since March and hasn’t won on Turf in more than three years. Look Surprised was only fourth off this mark at Bath while Coastal Cyclone and Little Miss Daisy always seem to find at least one too good.
Piazon 1-4fav (10-0) Taken to post early, tracked leader, closed 2f out, led on bit approaching final furlong, edged left inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Southwell 5f stks (6) pol in Mar beating Red Flute (9-11) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
African Friend (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Raced keenly, tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 11l behind Mullionheir (9-3) at Ascot 6f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Operative 15-8fav (9-10) Awkwardly away and slowly into stride, raced centre, behind, headway over 2f out, soon chased leaders, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on to lead narrowly inside final 50 yards, just held on, won at Goodwood 5f hcp (5) gd in Aug beating The Big Short (9-1) by nk, 13 ran.
Artscape 6-1 (8-13) Led and raced alone on stands rail, hanging right over 4f out, headed over 1f out, eased, 6th of 7, 14l behind The Daley Express (9-5) at Goodwood 6f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Coastal Cyclone 12-1 (9-6) Towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on well closing stages, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Jashma (9-3) at Sandown 5f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Taajub (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Jashma (9-3) at Sandown 5f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Look Surprised 5-1 (9-9) Chased leaders on inside, every chance 2f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Coronation Cottage (9-6) at Bath 5f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Little Miss Daisy 2-1 (9-8) In touch, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Gnaad (9-10) at Ffos Las 5f hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Mad Endeavour 8-1 (9-10) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Hurricane Rock (8-8) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Aug.