held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
always in rear
towards rear, ridden 5f out, weakened 3f out
led, headed over 2f out, weakened
slowly into stride, mid-division and keen, headway to lead over 1f out, all out when headed close home
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out and faded
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway from over 2f out, not trouble leaders
with leader, weakened 3f out, soon well behind
never a factor
in touch, headway 6f out, every chance over 2f out, ridden and not quicken
tracked leaders, weakened quickly 5f out
tracked leaders, soon ridden, weakened 3f out
High Charter is fancied to be capable of defying top weight in this company and is selected ahead of Bethanys Boy and Platinum Charmer, who make the most appeal out of the rest. The last named is always dangerous to rule at this level and he can be a leading player again today. However, as his recent record in this grade has not been the most convincing, he looks a risky proposition in this company. His rider does take a handy 7lb off, though and it will be interesting to note how the market speaks about him beforehand. Bethanys Boy is in good heart and can make this a good test if he is in the same frame of mind that saw him to victory here at the start of this month. He too has more on his plate this time and, as he is up slightly in trip, he will not find this easy. Therefore, we go with High Charter, who is open to far more improvement than the rest. The gelding was short of room at a crucial stage at Warwick when he was last seen out and may have been coming here on the back of a win had he got the gaps. James Fanshawe is a master at turning one out ready after a break and, as High Charter fits a typical profile of several of a tried and tested formula, he gets our vote here.
High Charter 7-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, held when not clear run inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Masterman Ready (9-1) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Ellina 11-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Tarabut (9-1) at Yarmouth 2m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Mi Odds 14-1 (10-3) Behind over 4f out, 15th of 16, 38l behind Love You Always (11-0) at Yarmouth 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Bethanys Boy (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Mid-division, lost place over 3f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, soon headed, led post, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 45-70 (5) pol beating El Chaparral (9-7) by a shd, 12 ran.
Arctic Cove 11-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and effort 3f out, weakened 2f out, eased, 10th of 13, 30l behind Colloquial (9-11) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
Reminiscent (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Always behind, 10th of 12, 49l behind Golden Boot (9-9) at Chester 2m hcp (5) sft in Sept.
Platinum Charmer (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, won at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gd beating Extra Cover (8-6) by 2l, 18 ran.
Efrhina (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace, 4th of 9, 8l behind Mpenzi (9-5) at Brighton 1m 4f fll hcp (6) gd in Aug.
