held up behind leaders, led 3f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed 3f out, remained in touch, effort when weakening over 1f out
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong
towards rear, hung left 3f out, raced alone stand side, never reached challenging position
steadied at start, held up towards rear, ridden along over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
always behind, never a factor
Atabaas Pride, Toto Skyllachy and Albaqaa make the shortlist here, with Albaqaa, already a winner this season, the selection. Albaqaa won impressively at Redcar, before running a good race in defeat in a more competitive contest at Ripon last week. Hopefully the ground will not dry out too much as his better efforts have been on a softer surface, but he runs off the same mark here and can resume winning ways. Toto Skyllachy is another who prefers cut underfoot, and Tom Tate's representative looks progressive. He makes his seasonal re-appearance here off top weight, and may be best watched. Atabaas Pride represents Mark Johnston, who won this race last year and has taken it three times in the last eight years. Atabaas Pride won on fast ground at Newcastle in September, but was a little disappointing on his re-appearance when fancied but only third at Kempton, and is opposed. Albaqaa can score again.
Toto Skyllachy 7-1 (9-3) Led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, kept on, won at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn auc (4) sft in Jul beating Billion Dollar Kid (9-3) by 4l, 8 ran.
Dhhamaan (IRE) 11-10fav (9-7) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 13l behind Honey Monster (8-13) at W'hampton 6f 3yo clm (6) pol.
Atabaas Pride 4-1 (8-13) Pressed winner 2f, stayed prominent, kept on but outpaced by 1st 2 from over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Cordell (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Thunderstruck 6-1 (9-4) Held up behind leaders, ridden along 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 12l behind William Blake (9-4) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Albaqaa 4-1 (8-7) In touch and keen, ridden approaching final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Cobo Bay (9-7) at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp (3) gs.
Joinedupwriting 25-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden 2f out, no impression, 4th of 6, 5l behind Meer Kat (8-12) at Bath 1m nov stk (5) gf in Oct.
Peter's Storm (USA) 9-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened approaching final furlong, 14th of 18, 9l behind Generous Thought (9-2) at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Nov.
Royal Applord 8-1 (9-4) Chased leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Rockfield Tiger (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol in Feb.
