tracked leaders, effort well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never dangerous
sent forward on wide outside to track leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure
mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, took closer order after 4f, lost place over 4f out, eased well over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
in touch, smooth progress to chase leaders over 3f out, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on well
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, never a threat
soon led, headed over 2f out, quickly weakened, eased over 1f out
Sir Mark Prescott may have already had a winner on tonight’s card and Distant Chimes has a shout on his reappearance. Desert Friend is another returning to action having won two of three starts over a mile last year while Super Kid won last year’s renewal off a higher mark and arrives on the back of success at Chester. But GRAND INQUISITOR landed a double earlier in the year and was giving weight to higher rated rivals then these when going close in a claimer at Thirsk a fortnight ago. Conor Dore’s charge gets the vote back in handicap company today with Inn The Bull perhaps best of the rest.
Grand Inquisitor 5-6fav (9-11) Led 1f, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to challenge throughout final furlong, just held, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Lexington Law (9-7) at Thirsk 1m 4f stks (5) gf in Jul.
Super Kid 7-1 (8-11) In touch, headway over 2f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead close home, won at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jun beating Marengo (8-6) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Charlie D (USA) 7-1 (9-7) Ran in snatches, soon in touch, reminders 3f out, hard ridden and outpaced well over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 3l behind Angel Gabrial (8-7) at Chester 2m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Kaser (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Technological (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Throckley 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon under pressure, weakening when pulled up soon after 2 out, at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Desert Friend (IRE) 5-6fav (9-9) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, edged right, stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m stks (5) pol in Oct beating Filles De Fleur (8-11) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Distant Chimes (GER) 6-4fav (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in touch, headway over 3f out, challenged 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Lexington Empire (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Robert L'Echelle (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, last of 8, 7 3/4l behind American Graffiti (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Ticklish (FR) 9-1 (9-8) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 29l behind Birdcage Walk (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp fll (5) hvy in Jun.
Inn The Bull (GER) 15-2 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, went modest 4th before last, no impression, 4th of 9, 31 3/4l behind The Vollan (11-1) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gs in Jun.
