slowly into stride, raced keenly and tracked leader 7f out, pushed along hanging left and lost 2nd inside final 3f, weakened over 2f out, behind and eased final furlong
held up in last trio, pushed along on wide outside and outpaced over 3f out, no headway
held up in last trio pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, never on terms
led, hung left and ridden over 1f out, headed and no chance with winner final furlong
steadied start, raced keenly in last trio, kept on final 2f, never dangerous
tracked leader 1f, handy 3rd, 2nd again on inside well over 2f out, got through on rail to lead final furlong, easily
raced keenly, tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, rallied on outside 2f out, plugged on in modest 3rd under tender handling from inexperienced rider
Mick Channon sent out last year’s winner and Wightman, who has placed on Turf, surpassed expectations when third at Wolverhampton last month. Taawfan still looked green when beating an odds-on favourite here four weeks ago so there should be plenty more to come, though none of those behind have franked the form. ALIBABA is probably worth sticking with in his hat-trick bid as he’s proved tough to peg back in two starts this year and this track can suit front-runners. Winnetka will have stamina to prove but Mon Choix can give a good account if back on song.
Taawfan (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 1f, led 5f out, edged left inside final 2f, ridden and edged back right over 1f out, stayed on, won at Windsor 1m stks (5) gf in Jul beating Heaven Forfend (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Special Secret 12-1 (9-2) Went left start, held up and behind, good headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, never going pace to threaten, 4th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Pretty In Grey (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp fll (4) pol in Jul.
Rogue Assassin (IRE) 13-2 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 10 1/2l behind Ilaraab (9-2) at Thirsk 1m stks (5) gd in Jul.
Alibaba 5-1 (9-9) Made all, clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Windsor 1m hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Treaty Of Dingle (9-1) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Winnetka (IRE) 15-8fav (9-7) Led early, prominent racing keenly, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 5, 2 3/4l behind Garsman (9-5) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Mon Choix 13-2 (9-4) Raced wide close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 3/4l behind Swinley Forest (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Wightman (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway 3f out, every chance inside final furlong when intimidated by rival and went left, one pace in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Al Salt (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Jul.
