mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders nside final furlong, never able to challenge
very slowly away, pulled hard in mid-division, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
in touch, lost place well over 2f out
dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, hard ridden when pressed from well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on well
mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, weakened final furlong
steadied start, mid-division, weakened over 2f out
prominent, effort well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace
prominent, keen, edged left halfway, weakened well over 1f out
steadied start, in touch, not clear run halfway and again over 1f out, soon ridden, not run on
NonRunner
NonRunner
A typically-competitive renewal of this valuable handicap which features the placed horses from last year. Firmament was second 12 months ago, just ahead of Von Blucher and Squats, but the latter may be the pick of the weights this time. Birchwood ran a fine race when third in the Betfred Mile at Goodwood and finished ahead of recent Chelmsford scorer Masham Star. El Hayem won at Sandown in July but was behind Firmament at York subsequently. Lualiwa reverts to his best trip after finishing third over 6f at York but there’s a danger that recent course winner Raising Sand will get taken off his feet over the straight 7f as he’s shown his best form over a mile. MJJACK has been raised 5lb since finishing second to Stamp Hill here in July but that was his first run in a race of this nature and he looks capable of better - the forecast rain would certainly be a plus. Breakable is pretty consistent and would have place claims again.
Firmament 12-1 (9-10) Raced wide in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Flaming Spear (9-2) at York 1m hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Remarkable 8-1 (9-5) Raced towards far side, held up, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten, 11th of 27, 5 3/4l behind Stamp Hill (8-5) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) gs in Jul.
Birchwood (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders on inside, switched left inside final 2f, led entering final furlong, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 17, 3/4l behind Master The World (9-7) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Top Score 33-1 (9-2) Raced centre, mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final 2f, last of 27, 21 1/4l behind Stamp Hill (8-5) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) gs in Jul.
Squats (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 3 1/4l behind Masham Star (9-3) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (2) pol in Sep.
Early Morning (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Raising Sand (9-3) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Raising Sand 10-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Ascot 1m hcp (2) gs in Aug beating Nicholas T (9-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
Von Blucher (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Bumped start, soon tracking leaders, led over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, kept on, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Get Knotted (9-3) at York 7f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Breakable 4-1fav (9-0) Led, headed over 4f out, tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Penwortham (8-0) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Masham Star (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (2) pol in Sep beating Sutter County (9-4) by hd, 15 ran.
Mjjack (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) Always prominent in centre, every chance 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not pace of winner, 2nd of 27, 1 1/4l behind Stamp Hill (8-5) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) gs in Jul.
Bertiewhittle 33-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 12th of 19, 6 1/4l behind Johnny Barnes (9-3) at Goodwood 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Summer Icon 25-1 (9-0) In rear, outpaced 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 16 1/2l behind Lincoln Rocks (9-0) at Pontefract 1m lst fll stks (1) gs in Jul.
Lualiwa 9-2 (9-9) Led early, chased leader until halfway, remained handy, led again an going well inside final 2f, ridden inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Golden Apollo (9-11) at Ascot 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Heaven's Guest (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Led group towards far side, ridden 2f out, headed in group over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 26th of 27, 20 1/2l behind Stamp Hill (8-5) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) gs in Jul.
Glory Awaits (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Led, switched left to race wide of pack after 1f, headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, kept on well, 3rd of 6, nk behind Brigliadoro (10-0) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Shady Mccoy (USA) 25-1 (8-3) Steadied and hampered start, held up towards rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, not clear run again inside final furlong, switched right, short of room closing stages, never on terms, 10th of 19, 6l behind Johnny Barnes (9-3) at Goodwood 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Dark Emerald (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Hampered soon after start and dropped to rear, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 25 3/4l behind Murad Khan (9-12) at Windsor 1m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
El Hayem (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) In rear, wide and headway from 3f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 17, 3 3/4l behind Flaming Spear (9-2) at York 1m hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Qeyaadah (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Close up, led over 1f out, soon pushed along, caught close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Bertiewhittle (9-2) at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
