tracked leaders, headway to lead 7f out, made rest, driven 2f out, drew clear final furlong, comfortably
held up behind in touch, headway 4f out, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong
tracked leaders, outpaced in 3rd 3f out, no chance with front pair final 2f
led early, tracked leader, lost place 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Multiple course winner REVE DE NUIT scored by seven lengths the last time he raced over track and trip back in May. A similar outcome looks likely in this given today's favourable terms and he gets the vote. Stand Guard is also a prolific winner at this track but hasn't raced since April, though he does have a bit to spare with Goal at the weights. The latter was way below his best in a handicap here last week but will appreciate today's longer trip. Inside Knowledge and Bix have little chance on official ratings and are easily overlooked.
Reve De Nuit (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, challenged over 4f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Kiama Bay (9-3) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs in Aug.
Stand Guard 2-5fav (9-7) Steadied start, close up in 4th, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 5f clm stks (6) pol in Apr beating Right Stuff (8-13) by 1l, 4 ran.
Goal (IRE) 28-1 (8-6) Always in rear, 8th of 9, 17l behind Greyfriarschorista (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Inside Knowledge (USA) 20-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden 5f out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 16l behind Auden (9-10) at Southwell 1m 3f (6) fbs in Dec.
Bix (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced and wide entering straight, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 11, 12l behind Be Royale (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Nov.