held up rear, headway entering straight coming wide, soon beaten
prominent, chased leader over 1f out, ridden 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
led until over 5f out, ridden and weakend over 2f out
chased leader, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden and weakend
always in touch, pushed along on inside 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear
mid-division on outside, ridden and weakend over 2f out, tailed off
prominent, soon chased leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, some headway over 1f out, never nearer
mid-division, ridden 2f out, ran on one pace final furlong
held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on to be nearest at finish
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, ran on final furlong
This looks weak enough for Sarraaf to quickly return to winning ways, with Barking Mad, Blue Patrick and Seattle Robber entitled to respect on their best form. Sarraaf was successful from five-pounds out of the handicap when scoring at Musselburgh in the summer, and has won twice since, most recently here at Wolverhampton when making the most of a better mark than on Turf. That was over seven furlongs, but he ran well in defeat off a six-pound higher rating at Southwell next time when staying on into fourth from off the pace, and this longer journey should suit Ian Semple's charge even more, as will the return to the Polytrack. Barking Mad was consistent enough on the level earlier this year, and he lines up fit from two runs over timber, so should be there or thereabouts, while Blue Patrick won here in April but was mainly out of form afterwards and has been off since October. Seattle Robber has been absent even longer, and although galvanised by a first-time visor at Musselburgh in July, has disappointed in cheekpieces since. For the winner we return to Sarraaf.
Kindlelight Debut 20-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden and outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Obezyana (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Barking Mad (USA) 11-1 (8-4) Led, soon clear, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 21l behind Bobby Charles (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
King Nicholas (USA) 14-1 (9-2) Raced wide, held up, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 12th of 13, 33l behind Amorist (8-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Blue Patrick 9-2fav (9-1) Held up, headway 3f out, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Fossgate (8-8) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Mollyputtheketelon (USA) 9-1 (8-13) In touch, lost place over 3f out, no danger after, 5th of 12, 9l behind Celtique (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Oct.
Pittsburgh 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, riddenhed right, ridden and challenged over 1f out, soon driven and every chance, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Three Thieves (9-0) at Musselburgh 1m 1f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Seattle Robber 8-1 (9-2) Held up, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 10l behind Love Angel (8-11) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) hrd in Sept.
Sarraaf (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, behind Bobby Charles (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
