raced keenly in mid-division, headway out widest chasing leaders 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened inside final 2f
raced keenly towards rear, headway tracking leaders 3f out, ridden out wide over 1f out, weakened soon after and eased when no chance
wore hood to post, raced keenly in close 3rd, not clear run and switched left off rail 2f out, went 2nd soon after, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach winner
raced wide in mid-division, headway inside final furlong, kept on but never going pace to reach leaders
tracked winner until hung left inside final 2f, weakened soon after
held up and behind, pushed along over 3f out, headway when not clear run and squeezed through inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved
made all, stayed on gamely, unchallenged
ANDALEEP has strong claims of landing a four-timer given he escapes a penalty for landing an apprentices’ race at Sandown last time. He’s taken to confirm running with Silverscape while Merlin's Beard had the measure of Old Port when winning one of these races at Lingfield and is 5lb higher. Haunted Dream and Eklil found one too good on their respective latest starts though neither troubled the winner while Le Forban has proved best on the all-weather so far.
Merlin's Beard 18-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on strongly final 110 yards, led final strides, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Aug beating Fair Star (9-8) by nk, 13 ran.
Old Port (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Towards rear, effort and headway on outside 2f out, came wide home turn, never a danger, 7th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Merlin's Beard (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Aug.
Sword Beach (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Chased leaders on inside, took keen hold, shaken up and weakened before 2 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Whatcoloristhewind (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
Croeso Cymraeg 40-1 (8-9) Mid-division, effort and headway well over 3f out, prominent 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 15, 5 3/4l behind Protagonist (9-1) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Haunted Dream (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Slipped badly and nearly fell leaving stalls, in touch, wide and effort 2f out, ridden and kept on towards finish, went 2nd post, 2nd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Box To Box (9-2) at Chester 1m 3f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Andaleep (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Front mid-division, pushed along and switched right 2f out, ridden and headway to press leaders over 1f out, led 1f out, stayed on well, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Silverscape (8-11) by 1l, 12 ran.
Le Forban 7-2 (9-8) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and stayed on over 1f out, never threatened, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Postmark (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Aug.
Silverscape 25-1 (8-11) Towards rear, pushed along and came wide over 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, went 4th 1f out, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Andaleep (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Wootton'sun (FR) 11-1 (8-13) Rear mid-division, pushed along and headway 3f out, soon chased front rank, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Hamaki (9-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Eklil 4-5fav (9-10) Waited with in rear, headway between horses over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Just A Tad (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Lexington Knight (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Led, headed over 5f out, led over 4f out, headed 2f out, kept on, no impression on winner final furlong, 2nd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Jacovec Cavern (9-2) at Ffos Las 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
