dwelt, soon in mid-division, driven along and weakened over 2f out
took keen hold, led after 1f, edged left off rail from 2f out, headed over 1f out, chased winner until no extra final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along 4f out, driven along over 2f out and soon beaten
always in rear
slowly into stride, held up in rear, driven along on wide outside and some headway final furlong, never going pace to get competitive
chased leaders, challenged and got through on rail 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
chased leaders, driven along over 1f out, kept on into 2nd final furlong but no impression on winner
keen hold, soon in touch, driven along on outside 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, chased leader, driven along 2f out, weakened inside last
always behind
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon in rear
soon steadied rear, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to get competitive
Despite his rising handicap mark there is no other reason to desert MOROCCHIUS who comes here in top form; the rest of the shortlist consists of Fortunate Bid, Sapphire Prince and Voortrekker. The selection has not been out of the first three in his last five starts. Having primarily plied his trade in the North in the past, he travels a fair way for this engagement and he looks a player. He is 7lbs higher than his last winning mark, however he has conditions in his favour and a big run is expected. French Art also comes here in good form; he only has one win to his name but it is not for lack of trying although again his handicap mark is suffering. Fortunate Bid's latest run was not his best, however his claiming form from August looks fairly solid in the context of this race. Compton Blue wears blinkers for the first time as he searches for his second win from twelve starts. He bounced back to form last time out at the track and looks a player. Another horse to bounce back to form is Sapphire Prince who won nicely here last time out; his 3lb rise in the weights doesn't look excessive and he shouldn't be far away. At a price all-weather scorer Voortrekker could run well as he was far from disgraced at Goodwood last time out and is able to race off a 3lb lower mark this afternoon. Today's decent ground should see Full Victory improve on his latest run, however it is the consistent Morocchius who is given the nod.
Trafalgar Square 16-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 2f out, driven to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on well, always held, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Ravi River (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Full Victory (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, no impression from over 1f out, 9th of 13, 5l behind Alqaahir (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Sapphire Prince (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Soon tracked leader, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, won at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (5) gf beating Compton Blue (9-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Voortrekker 11-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 7l behind Featherweight (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Fortunate Bid (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Soon led, headed well over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 14, 30l behind Pokfulham (8-1) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Compton Blue 7-1 (9-2) Mid-division, reminders over 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Sapphire Prince (9-3) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (5) gf.
French Art 15-8fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, stayed on well approaching final furlong, nearest at finish, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Cadeaux Fax (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Morocchius (USA) 7-2fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Ela Gorrie Mou (8-12) at Ffos Las 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
El Libertador (USA) 20-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 14l behind Santefisio (9-5) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.
Candilejas 6-1 (9-3) Always in rear, pushed along and struggling 4f out, last of 13, 23l behind Herschel (9-4) at Kempton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Christophers Quest 11-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 8l behind Dichoh (9-5) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
Having A Ball 7-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Dinner Date (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Rock Exhibition 20-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, in touch, under pressure over 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 22l behind Bookiebasher Babe (8-5) at Southwell 1m fll hcp (4) fbs in May.
