led, ridden well over 1f out, headed close home
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left, not quicken
tracked leader until 2f out, beaten when hung right entering final furlong
slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, no extra towards finish
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, weakening when carried slightly right entering final furlong
in touch, pushed along 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, rallied 1f out, ran on under strong pressure to lead close home
PYTHEAS is given the vote here ahead of recent winner Luminous Star and Logos Astra. A recent third to Spying at Beverley reads fairly well for the selection and he has contested some good maidens to date. A mark of 79 looks fair enough but he is open to much more improvement and the feeling is that a big run will be forthcoming. Luminous Star won what looked a weak race at Brighton, so a 5lb rise in the weights in this better race makes life tough so despite his progress he is passed over. Logos Astra's second to Timely Jazz reads well and although he was soundly put in his place he is still fancied to run well over a trip that looks likely to suit on breeding and judging by the way he runs. Layla's Boy disappointed when last seen at Chester but he may be happier this evening over this extra furlong, whilst Dolphin Rock improved last time out and a 3lb higher mark is manageable. Llandovery was well-held last time out behind a stablemate of the selection which is the Mark Johnston-trained Pytheas.
Pytheas (USA) 11-4fav (9-3) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Spying (9-3) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Luminous Star (USA) 6-4fav (9-3) Held up, headway on outside 3f out, driven along 2f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) fm in Aug beating Pictures (8-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Logos Astra (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Held up, not handle bend 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Timely Jazz (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Aug.
Layla's Boy 7-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, staying on one pace when snatched up entering final 1f, weakened and eased, last of 8, 8l behind Ransom Note (9-3) at Chester 7f 2yo mdn (3) gf in Aug.
Dolphin Rock 8-1 (7-12) Led 2f, remained prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 1l behind Shibhan (8-1) at Chester 7f 2yo hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Llandovery 8-1 (8-8) Duelled with leader at strong pace, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, eased when beaten final furlong, last of 6, 11l behind Cherry Bee (8-10) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
