led after 1f until 8f out, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway when not much room on inside and squeezed through over 1f out, plugged on
awkwardly away, last pair, headway chasing leaders over 9f out, went 2nd halfway until ridden inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard and saddle slipped, tracked leaders, headway to lead 8f out, pushed readily clear over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly
behind and struggling 8f out, never a factor, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd briefly 10f out, chased leaders, ridden and went modest 2nd inside final 2f until over 1f out, plugged on in 3rd
led 1f, chased leaders until settled and lost place in 5th 8f out, headway and wide home turn, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
Hooflepuff won over track and trip last month and scored over a shorter distance here on his latest start. But he’s facing a more difficult task in this company and BLISTERING BARNEY makes more appeal. The latter won over today’s distance at Leicester during the summer and went close again at Haydock last month. Thorn’s earlier success at Epsom came over 1m2f while Flying Dragon posted a better effort at Bath having slipped down the weights.
Blistering Barney (IRE) 10-3fav (11-0) Led, ridden 3f out, briefly extended advantage 2f out, stayed on gamely, still in front 1f out, headed final 50 yards, just denied, 2nd of 10, nk behind Great Colaci (10-8) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Thorn 22-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, prominent, joined leader after 2nd, outjumped next, led after 4th, jumped left 5th, soon headed, pushed along and lost place before 3 out, soon struggling, last of 7, dist behind Lady Reset (10-4) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Cuban Hope (IRE) 80-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride, behind, headway on outside 7f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, 11th of 13, 21 3/4l behind Diamond Bay (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Flying Dragon (FR) 14-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Steel An Icon (9-9) at Bath 1m 5f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Frozen Waters (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Prominent, lost place over 10f out, well beaten final 2f, 12th of 13, 22 1/4l behind Diamond Bay (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Coupe De Champagne (GER) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders on rail, went 2nd 6f out until pushed along 3f out, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 5 3/4l behind Summer Valley (9-10) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Hooflepuff (IRE) 3-1fav (9-12) Raced mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on strongly from 2f out, took lead inside final furlong, won going away, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Sep beating Well Prepared (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
