held up in last pair, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden and unable to quicken, headway out wide and went 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with leading duo
close 3rd on inside, smooth headway out wide 3f out, went 2nd going well 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, soon quickened clear
raced wide early, soon led, pushed along and quickened 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and outpaced inside final furlong, no chance with winner
bit keen, held up in 4th, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, hung left and weakened soon after
steadied start, pulled hard in rear, saddle slipped after 1f, no chance after
led briefly, tracked leader until pushed along 2f out, ridden and no chance with leading duo over 1f out, weakened and lost 3rd inside final furlong
Jean Baptiste is no better off than when beaten half-a-length by BOX TO BOX at Chester last month. The latter is back over his winning distance today and can confirm the form and land this. Brunch has only raced beyond a mile once before and never over a trip this far so stamina will have to be taken on trust but Spirit Dancer won this last year. Richard Fahey’s charge is 4lb higher now but likes it here and had the worst of the draw in the John Smith’s Cup last time. Zozimus has yet to show much for his new yard while Carolus Magnus lacks a recent run.
Brunch 10-1 (9-9) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, headway between horses over 1f out, ran on well, nearest finish, 6th of 10, 3/4l behind Lattam (9-0) at Newcastle 1m hcp (2) pol in Jun.
Spirit Dancer 11-1 (8-13) Front mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no real progress, 8th of 18, 6 1/4l behind Pride Of America (9-8) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Box To Box (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Led, headed but prominent after 3f, led again over 2f out, soon ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on but held final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Dream Harder (9-10) at Chester 1m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Zozimus (IRE) 7-2 (9-11) Keen, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 3l behind Bashful (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Carolus Magnus (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Front rank, ridden and weakened from 2f out, 10th of 20, 8 1/2l behind Substantial (8-7) at York 1m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Jean Baptiste (IRE) 3-1fav (9-9) Led, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, 1 length down entering final furlong, soon switched left, kept on same pace close home, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Auld Toon Loon (9-9) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
