prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, outpaced over 3f out, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on
behind, outpaced from halfway
held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, held on under pressure
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on towards finish
Nonrunner
This is not a straightforward race to work out with Straight Face selected ahead of Dualagi and Pat Will. Straight Face is on a competitive mark if replicating last September's form. Totally Free needs to improve on his all-weather wins back on Turf, while Pat Will's improvement - in a first-time visor last time - came in a seller, although his stable remains in good form. Basically, the others need to find improvement this time around in order to feature, although Dualagi is lightly raced and the market might act as a guide. Once again, Straight Face gets the call.
Billy Red 14-1 (9-0) Led stands' side group, headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind Nordic Light (8-11) at Folkestone 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Early Promise (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Swerved left start, stumbled 3f out, stayed on, 7th of 14, 4l behind Morinqua (9-4) at Nottingham 5f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) gf.
Dualagi 3-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 4l behind Valery Borzov (9-7) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Totally Free 11-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp (6) fbs beating Moonlight Applause (8-12) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Almora Guru 8-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 11l behind Divertimenti (9-5) at Leicester 6f 3yo sll (6) gf.
Pat Will (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Divertimenti (9-5) at Leicester 6f 3yo sll (6) gf.
Straight Face (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) In rear, soon outpaced, moderate headway final furlong, never a factor, 7th of 10, 11l behind Arch of Titus (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Wiseton Dancer (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) Hampered start, always behind, last of 14, 9l behind Social Rhythm (9-1) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf.