tracked leader, driven to lead over 2f out, strongly challenged entering final furlong, all out, just held on
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, kept on well, never able to challenge
led, driven over 4f out, headed over 2f out, rallied approaching final furlong, every chance close home, just failed
The best has been saved until last as this is a tricky little handicap, despite there being only five runners. Bridgehampton was sent off favourite on his belated reappearance at Sandown last month so presumably had been showing plenty at home. He certainly shouldn't be written off just yet while Choral Prince is improving and won over course and distance just over three weeks ago. Toughness Danon is starting to knock on the door and St Ignatius won at Brighton before finishing third at Musselburgh so can't be ignored. But Sir Mark Prescott will have been working hard to iron out KHOTAN's quirks and we'll give the bottom weight another chance to show his true worth as this will be his trip on breeding.
Bridgehampton 11-4fav (9-1) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened closing stages, 5th of 8, 7l behind Porcini (9-7) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Choral Prince (IRE) 7-4 (9-0) Close up in last place, headway when switched right over 1f out, led on bit inside final furlong, cheekily, won at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul beating Outback (10-0) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Khotan Evensfav (8-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Mister Pagan (10-0) at Ayr 1m 6f mdn stks (4) gd in Jun.
Toughness Danon 11-8fav (8-13) Well away, very reluctant to race and reminders, well behind, headway and in touch in rear halfway, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, hung left and ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 8, nk behind Nolecce (8-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
St Ignatius 6-1 (8-12) Chased clear leader, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Brigadoon (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
