mid-division, ridden and headway to lead 1f out, headed towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, soon ridden, not quicken towards finish
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
soon led, headed over 4f out, ridden to lead again over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened towards finish
keen, in touch, ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, never troubled leaders
led early, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish
In the finale, Middle Eastern, Patternmaker and George The Second gets short listed with the selection being Middle Eastern. There are a mixture of out-of-form horses that could be given a chance if returning to their best and, with that in mind, a return to anywhere near his best would give Middle Eastern a good chance today. Val de Maal warmed up for this with a fair course and distance run and might be abnle top build on that today, while Patternmaker showed that he can go well from his current rating when second at Kempton two runs ago from a four-pounds higher mark and his chance is respected. Vlasta Veiner has dropped to a winning mark from about a year ago and, from a good draw, might go well although he is one that lacks recent form. George The Second is back to a winning mark from the summer, while Cosmic Destiny had too much use made of her over course and distance last time and a more-restrained ride can show her in a better light. Overall, though, the vote goes to Middle Eastern.
Bond Playboy 50-1 (8-13) Mid-division far side, ridden halfway, no extra inside final furlong, 13th of 17, 10l behind Word Perfect (8-12) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sept.
Boldinor 50-1 (9-2) Raced wide, keen, close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 14, 8l behind Final Tune (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Middle Eastern 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Black Sea Pearl (8-10) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) sft.
Atlantic Viking (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Always behind, 12th of 13, 15l behind Black Sea Pearl (8-10) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) sft.
Patternmaker (USA) 9-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, 12th of 16, 8l behind Dunn Deal (9-13) at Warwick 5f hcap (6) gf in May.
Cosmic Destiny (IRE) 5-2fav (8-12) Led after 1f, headed over 2f out, led again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon beaten and eased close home, 7th of 12, 3l behind Paddywack (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcap (6) pol.
Mister Incredible 25-1 (8-4) In touch, stayed in centre course and weakened 2f out, 11th of 14, 12l behind Dancing Mystery (9-1) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Musical Script (USA) 50-1 (8-4) Prominent, chased winner 2f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Dancing Mystery (9-1) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
