jumped right at times, led, headed last, no impression on winner and lost 2nd towards finish
chased leader until 8th, not fluent 11th, lost place 12th, behind 4 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, slow 10th (water), headway when not fluent 4 out, slow again 2 out and soon outpaced, rallied before last, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
held up in rear, headway 12th, outpaced after 2 out, 5th and no extra last
held up, mistake 1st, landed awkwardly 8th, headway 12th, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
chased leaders, 2nd 11th, ridden 2 out, 4th and beaten last, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, 2nd 8th until not fluent 11th, mistake 12th, 2nd again last bend, led last, driven out
Play The Ace has a terrific record here but was left behind by the first two in the closing stages at Sedgefield earlier this week when starting favourite. It would be no surprise to see a return to winning ways from either Vikekhal or Surf And Turf but Shady Glen is upped in class and Mont Royale is struggling for form. Mercers Court goes well on sharp tracks but hasn’t raced since May when behind ALWAYS ON THE RUN here. Tom George’s charge gets no help from the handicapper but it’s possible this intermediate distance will suit and he can end a frustrating sequence.
Always On The Run (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Led until 12th, led again 14th, clear after 4 out until ridden from next, headed before last, held flat, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Kilbree Kid (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Mercers Court (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, blundered 3 out, soon beaten, weakened next, modest 4th before last, 4th of 9, 20 3/4l behind Days Of Heaven (12-3) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
Mont Royale 16-1 (10-9) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 6th of 10, 24 1/4l behind Art Of Payroll (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Vikekhal (FR) 18-1 (10-4) Led, headed 4 out, ridden and outpaced by front pair next, no chance after, 3rd of 10, 13 1/2l behind Art Of Payroll (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Surf And Turf (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, lost place 5 out, soon outpaced, no impression after, 4th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Art Of Payroll (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Shady Glen (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, effort to challenge 2 out, ridden between last 2, led narrowly last, kept on, headed near finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Hedgeinator (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Play The Ace (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 2nd before 7th, ridden and every chance when not fluent 2 out, soon lost 2nd, one pace, 3rd of 5, 8 1/4l behind The Doorman (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
