tracked leader, led briefly 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway on bit 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra when headed towards finish
mid-division, hit 2nd, soon reminders, not fluent next, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, ran on to lead towards finish, no extra when headed close home
held up behind, pushed along and struggling from 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear
tracked leaders, joined leaders 3 out, soon ridden, hit 2 out, soon weakened
led, headed briefly 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
The finish to this contest may lie between the three last time out winners in the field with preference for Pailitas, who gets the verdict over Dante's Battle and Milan King. The last mentioned has been raised 10lbs since his course and distance in July and that leaves him with more to do in a slightly more competitive contest. Dante's Battle, who has won his last two (latterly in a non-handicap), has to be respected off a 5lb higher mark than when scoring at Newton Abbot two outings ago but may not be suited by the drop back in distance. The consistent Silogue, course and distance winner Magic Box and the reappearing Tarashani are others worthy of a mention but the selection has to be Pailitas. The Ian Williams-trained gelding was gaining a well-deserved first success of the season, having been placed in his last two starts, when beating three rivals at Huntingdon last time. Admittedly the German-bred gelding has a 7lb penalty to carry for that but, with going and trip to suit, he gets the vote.