held up in 4th, headway over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish
tracked leading pair, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked winner, quickened to challenge and took narrow lead on outside over 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held towards finish
led at steady pace, pushed along and quickened 3f out, narrowly headed over 2f out, rallied gamely to regain lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up in rear, closer order 4f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
MURCAR ran a solid race at Haydock at the weekend and can gain compensation for a near miss today. Spanish Moon and Hawridge King are forwarded as the best alternatives. Hawridge King is a doughty stayer and will act on the predicted ground. Quite whether he is on a winning mark is debatable, though. Spanish Conquest represents connections that are always respected with their raids on Flat-race prize-money. The booking of Jamie Spencer is a positive move for the Phillip Hobbs-trained gelding and a big run is expected from this Cesarewitch entry. However, Murcar has started to show his true colours now his stamina has been called upon and the fact he is turned out so quickly is a solid enough clue that all is well with him for today.
Howdigo 33-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, always behind, 17th of 20, 18l behind Almiqdaad (8-12) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf.
Hawridge King 4-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 16l behind Rotative (10-0) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Spanish Conquest 11-4fav (9-4) Prominent, ridden along over 3f, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Keenes Day (9-5) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (4) fbs in Oct.
My Mate Max 18-1 (9-10) Prominent, led over 12f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Saborido (8-11) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Cry For The Moon (USA) 13-2 (9-3) In touch, ridden and headway 2f out, driven and edged left entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Rockfella (8-7) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Murcar 9-2 (8-13) Mid-division, headway and effort on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Lochiel (9-12) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Brave Mave 8-1 (9-9) Keen in touch, ridden 4f out, gradually weakened, eased well over 1f out, last of 8, 47l behind Fantino (8-7) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Warrior Conquest 6-1 (9-2) Chased leader until 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 26l behind Gandalf (9-2) at Kempton 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
