held up, headway 4f out, soon pushed along, hung left from over 1f out, beaten when eased well inside final furlong
prominent, weakened over 6f out, tailed off
keen, mid-division, headway 8f out, ridden over 3f out, challenged 1f out, not quicken towards finish
held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, weakened 4f out
held up in touch, headway over 8f out, ridden over 4f out, led 1f out, driven out
held up, struggling over 5f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
prominent, ridden and lost place 5f out, no chance with leaders after
held up, ridden and weakened over 5f out
took keen hold, held up in rear, some headway over 4f out, awkward on bend over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 5f out, led over 2f out, not keen and headed 1f out, stayed on towards finish
chased leader until 4f out, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, hung right well over 1f out, still every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
in rear, lost touch over 6f out
Nonrunner
SPHERE is given the vote to land this handicap on the back of a pleasing effort against the much improved stayer Askar Tau last time. Of his thirteen rivals, the improved Flying Grey and Kiribati King could well emerge as the biggest threats to the selection. James Fanshawe's filly appears rather one paced in the closing stages of her races but if her rider makes plenty use of her, which is a concern given his preferred riding style she will take all the beating. Askar Tau went on to land a much hotter Newmarket handicap off an 8lb higher mark and all things look set for a big run from this unexposed filly off a mark which she should be capable of scoring from. Kiribati King relished testing conditions last time out at Haydock and is a big danger to Sphere on the evidence of that but whether a stiff enough test will materialise is the question. Flying Grey was an easy winner on his last flat start and has since scored over hurdles. He looks as if he remains very well treated while the admirable Great View relishes getting his toe in and can be taken to run his usual game race. He is vulnerable to an improving sort though so could only be put forward as a place contender while Tusculum was formerly very smart but does not look possess any of his previous ability. Market support for Simone Martini should be noted as he takes a big step up in trip with first time blinkers applied but Sphere is put up as the selection.
Great View (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Held up in touch, pushed along 4f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Ragdollianna (9-11) at Warwick 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug.
Tusculum (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Mid-division, weakened 3f out, soon eased, 7th of 9, well behind Daylami Dreams (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Sphere (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Close up, chased winner 8f out, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Askar Tau (9-6) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Flying Grey (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway to lead 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, won at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Aug beating Check Up (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Kiribati King (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway 6f out, led 4f out, soon ridden, hung left 2f out, driven out, won at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) hvy in Aug beating Okafranca (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sister Agnes (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Chased leader 3f, soon dropped rear, behind after, no chance when eased over 1f out, last of 7, well behind Tasheba (9-0) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Synonymy 4-1 (8-13) Tracked leader over 6f out, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, weakened, 6th of 12, 14l behind Master At Arms (9-2) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Aug.
Zeloso 25-1 (8-9) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, edged right, kept on, won at Beverley 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jul beating Pegasus Prince (9-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
Great Man (FR) 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon held, 7th of 13, 16l behind Desert Hawk (8-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Simone Martini (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, last of 8, 15l behind Craigstown (9-6) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Captain Mainwaring 5-2jt-fav (9-1) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon no chance with winner but kept on well to hold 2nd, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Love And Glory (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Purely By Chance 11-1 (8-13) Prominent and keen, ridden over 2f out, held when hampered inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Look To This Day (9-7) at Bath 1m 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Dareios (GER) 40-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 15, 30l behind Circadian Rhythm (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Rio De Janeiro (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) In touch, headway 5f out, ridden and every chance from over 2f out, faded entering final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Rehearsed (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
