stumbled and went right start, held up in rear, headway on outer from over 3f out, soon ridden, chased winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
keen, tracked leader until 10f out, chased leader again 6f, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace
hampered start, keen, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders
mid-division, switched right and headway to chase leader 10f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon taken towards centre, ridden clear, eased inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on
in touch, lost place 6f out, improved to chase leaders 4f out, weakened 2f out
set steady pace, headed over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
DART has adapted well to racing on the fibresand and is selected in preference to Victory Quest and Nounou. A case can also be stated for Inchpast, as he drops in class after a solid run in the Cesarewitch. But the top weight does face a stiff test on his all-weather but on these terms. Nounou races under both codes and has paid his way with a handful of victories to his name. He hasn't won on the Flat since 2005, though; which obviously raises cause for concern. Victory Quest is chasing a tenth course win and always seems to raise the bar when he hits the gates. Still, he does look weighted to the hilt and needs everything to go his way. Therefore, a chance is taken that Dart can reverse the form of a fortnight ago on the revised terms. James Fanshawe's filly almost certainly needed the run on that occasion and, with a 4lb pull at the weights, Dart is taken to edge it inside the wire.
Inchpast 100-1 (7-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, faded final furlong, 9th of 32, 12l behind Caracciola (9-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gd in Oct.
Victory Quest (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 3f, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Oct beating Bold Bobby Be (9-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Three Boars 14-1 (9-6) Dwelt and always rear division, 10th of 11, 32l behind Keenes Day (9-5) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct.
Dart 7-1 (9-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden along over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Victory Quest (10-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Oct.
River Danube 16-1 (9-12) Behind, headway 6f out, challenged 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Quitit (8-13) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
Nounou 33-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind Mister Arjay (9-11) at Beverley 2m hcap (5) gf in May.
Oberlin (USA) 6-1 (9-2) In touch, led over 4f, headed over 3f, soon outpaced, driven and stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Ice Bellini (8-3) at Southwell 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) fbs.