chased leading pair, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, edged slightly left and ran on inside final furlong
always last, pushed along over 4f out, lost touch over 3f out
led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, held when switched right inside final furlong
Semah Harold, who made a winning debut here over seven furlongs, has the highest rating of those to have earned one but Ed McMahon's gelding may have to settle for minor honours here with Abolition looking a better bet and getting the vote ahead of Cheque. The last mentioned has shown progressive form and was good value for his win at Lingfield last time but this looks tougher and Jamie Osborne's gelding may have to settle for minor honours. Richard Fahey's Graceful Descent has shown promise in all three starts but may do better as a three-year-old next term, while Marning Star needs to improve on all known form to take a hand in the finish. The vote then goes to Mark Johnston's Abolition who has been highly tried, having run in a Group 3 in Ireland last time, and he is taken to make the most of the drop in class today.
Semah Harold 14-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden, headed over 2f out, still every chance entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Shannersburg (8-12) at Nottingham 1m nov stk (5) gf in Aug.
Abolition (USA) 6-1 (9-1) Raced in close 3rd, ridden and weakened from 2f out, last of 5, 13l behind Myboycharlie (9-1) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) hvy in Jul.
Ba Speedbird (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) In rear, eased when lost action over 1f out, last of 11, well behind Sofia's Star (8-13) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Jun.
Graceful Descent (FR) 4-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway and not clear run 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Dauberval (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Aug.
Cheque 7-2jt-fav (8-10) Always prominent, led 3f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc (5) pol beating City Hustler (8-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
Havanavich 14-1 (9-3) Soon pushed along in rear, headway on inside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 6l behind Copywriter (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Aug.
Aston Boy 66-1 (9-3) Always in rear, ridden and struggling early straight, 13th of 14, 15l behind Redolent (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn auc (4) gd in Aug.
Marning Star 9-1 (8-11) Held up last, driven along 3f out, soon beaten, no chance final 2f, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind dhtrs Townkab (8-0) & Goodwood Starlight (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
