took keen hold, held up in 6th, pushed along and unable to quicken over 2f out, never on terms
took keen hold tracking leader, driven over 1f out, edged right and led inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure
always in rear, pushed along and struggling 3f out
led and set steady pace, quickened 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards
steadied start, held up in last pair, headway towards inside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
took keen hold tracking leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd final 100 yards, kept on
took keen hold, held up in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, weakened soon after
chased leading trio, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong
The veteran Classic Punch is hard to predict but still capable of winning at this level on his day. He's up 3lb for last month's win at Doncaster while the handicapper may have caught up with Hydrant now given he's 10lb higher than when beating Saint Thomas here back in June. Triple Eight finished ahead of subsequent winner Arc Light before scoring himself at Ripon last week and he can figure but BE PERFECT gets the nod. He's slipped 10lb down the handicap since the start of the year and Dandy Nicholls' charge is fancied to take advantage in this lesser company.
Be Perfect (USA) 33-1 (9-2) Towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 6l behind Winterlude (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Classic Punch (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) fm in Jul beating Manomine (8-4) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Moccasin (FR) 9-1 (9-12) Held up in last pair, pushed along and struggling over 2f out, 5th of 7, 17l behind Platinum (9-9) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Hydrant 10-1 (9-0) Led, headed 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 7l behind Charles Camoin (10-0) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Arc Light (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, headway 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jul beating Muharrer (10-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Triple Eight (IRE) 17-2 (9-0) Close up, ridden over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, led entering final furlong, forged clear, won at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Dame Nellie Melba (8-9) by 5l, 7 ran.
Jebel Tara 18-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Ted's Brother (9-1) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Saint Thomas (IRE) 15-8fav (10-0) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 6l behind Maybeme (9-3) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Rockweiller 8-1 (10-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Hernando Torres (9-13) at Beverley 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
