tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and hung right to stand side rail when clear over 1f out, ridden out
led, ridden and headed 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f
dwelt looked reluctant and pushed along in rear, ridden 5f out, driven 4f out, kept on to go 3rd post, never nearer
raced wide in touch, ridden halfway, lost touch over 4f out, soon eased and virtually pulled up
in touch in rear, ridden and headway to go 3rd 4f out, driven 2f out, kept on one pace and lost 3rd post
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
Powerful Melody won his first two starts but could never get into it at Chester last time after missing the break. He can be forgiven that but connections reach for a visor now so TAIKOO gets the nod. He's run two solid races back from a summer break and has a good record at the course. Bivouac won here two starts ago and should be competitive off a seven-pounds higher mark, two pounds above the one he finished at Wolverhampton off last time. Fine Sight is consistent but needs the cheekpieces to have the desired effect to win this while Becausewecan is now five pounds lower than when winning at Newmarket almost a year ago but that is symptomatic of his disappointing efforts of late.
Lucky Punt 12-1 (9-8) Raced wide, close up, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Whistleinthewind (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol.
Becausewecan (USA) 9-2 (9-8) Tracked leader, hard ridden and effort over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 26l behind Tepmokea (9-12) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Powerful Melody (USA) 6-4fav (9-7) Started very slowly, behind, hard driven over 7f out, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 11l behind Dubara Reef (8-2) at Chester 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Sep.
Taikoo 9-2fav (9-7) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 7f out, ridden over 3f out, not clear run inside final furlong, stayed on close home, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Royal Trooper (9-5) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sep.
Bivouac (UAE) 14-1 (9-6) In rear, headway to chase winner over 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Palio Square (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Fine Sight 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, driven 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair well inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Ahlawy (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Dalhaan (USA) 5-1 (9-7) Held up, progress to track leaders over 8f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, 5th of 6, 29l behind Kazbow (9-6) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
