raced wide close up, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
taken to post early, soon led, ridden and joined over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
in rear, wide and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to join leader over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, asserted close home
NonRunner
Noble Gift has dropped to a fair mark but is much better on Polytrack nowadays. MIDNIGHT MEETING (NAP) makes his handicap debut and has no problems tackling this trip for the first time at Salisbury. The Godolphin colt should have plenty more to offer and is again partnered by the in-form Hayley Turner. Bathsheba Bay ran well behind Communique at Goodwood and an earlier third at Sandown is working out well so Richard Hannon’s colt can’t be ignored. Andrew Balding has been among the winner so Contango may be best of the rest though Envoy, Man Of Harlech and Fast Dancer are all previous course winners.
Contango (IRE) 7-2 (9-11) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 13 1/2l behind Pacify (9-13) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Noble Gift 25-1 (9-2) Soon led and set steady pace, pushed along and headed inside final 2f, well held, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Buzz (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Jul.
Fast Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Pushed along and struggling over 3f out, always towards rear, last of 8, dist behind Koeman (9-12) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Man Of Harlech 10-3 (10-0) Tracked leader, effort 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, no impression with front pair from over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Aquarium (9-4) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Midnight Meeting (IRE) 4-11fav (9-7) Led 1f, remained prominent, led again over 2f out, driven clear, readily, won at Salisbury 1m 2f stks (5) fm in Jul beating Respectable (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bathsheba Bay (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Led briefly, settled 3rd after 1f, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Communique (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Envoy 7-1 (9-7) Chased leader who went clear after 3f, closed 4f out, ridden when faltered and lost 2nd 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Lorelina (9-7) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.