towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, soon eased
led, ridden over 1f out, headed final strides
close up, effort 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong, went 3rd post
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch in rear, reminders 3f out, switched left over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, led final strides
soon tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, lost 3rd post
SPITHEAD is not exactly improving in leaps and bounds but he made all to win on the Turf at Lingfield last month. He looks the obvious selection with today's rivals having questions to answer. Aseela went close in a lowly handicap at Kempton three weeks ago but the winner has been well beaten since while Romanoff was beaten over six lengths when stepped up to 7f for his handicap debut at Epsom last time. Hot Mustard is not certain to appreciate the longer trip but should at least finish closer than he did at Newbury last month and the remaining pair are hard to fancy.
Hot Mustard 14-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, soon outpaced, no chance after, 8th of 11, 7l behind Derwent (9-3) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Spithead 5-1 (8-13) Made all, ridden 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, driven and all out (hand timed), won at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug beating Cappadocia (9-0) by nk, 9 ran.
East Texas Red (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Bumped start, always towards rear, 10th of 11, 8l behind Inka Surprise (9-3) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Romanoff (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Hampered start keen held up, ran wide 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never a factor, 4th of 7, 7l behind New Falcon (9-7) at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-75 2yo (5) gd in Aug.
Aseela (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Behind, ridden 2f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Getaway Car (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.
Likelikelikelikeit 33-1 (8-4) Went left start, towards rear, went 8th over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 23l behind Mystical Man (9-2) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn aut (4) gs in Jul.