Vino Victrix has been raised 5lb for winning over track and trip while Forever William ran well for second at Newbury with a disappointing Lion Face behind. But several are open to improvement now handicapping including Catterick maiden Winterwatch and Khaiz. The latter steps up from 1m2f and PRAIANO is another upped in distance after failing to land the odds at Carlisle. Roger Varian’s German-bred half-brother to a Group 1 winner should last home and gets the vote with his yard in fine form.
Vino Victrix 11-2 (8-8) Raced keenly, held up off the pace in 6th, headway out wide 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged right briefly, stayed on well, won at Sandown 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Classic Lord (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Khaiz (IRE) 4-5fav (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, plugged on final furlong, went 3rd post, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Kolisi (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 2f mdn stks (4) gs in Jun.
Thunder Ahead 11-2 (9-9) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, no match for winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Imperial Sun (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Winterwatch (GER) 15-8 (9-2) Chased leaders, closed 4f out, led 3f out, clear 2f out, stayed on well, won at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft in Jul beating Neverwrongforlong (8-11) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Grand Scheme (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Mid-division out wide, headway chasing leaders 7f out, ridden over 2f out, outpaced soon after, never dangerous after, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Mr Excellency (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Forever William 7-2fav (8-12) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway when switched left over 1f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Nawar (9-13) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Far Too Beautiful 66-1 (9-7) Soon held up off the pace in last trio, never threatened, 5th of 7, 11 1/2l behind Yesyes (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f fll stks (5) gs in Jul.
Folly Beach 4-1 (9-3) In rear, wide and headway 3f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Lady Pacifico (9-3) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp fll (5) gd in May.
Lion Face (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Chased leaders on outer, ridden 4f out, switched left 3f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 16, 19l behind Nawar (9-13) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Praiano (GER) 8-13fav (9-3) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 4f out, pushed along over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Hard To Fault (9-3) at Carlisle 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gf in Jul.
