raced in group towards near side, chased leaders, ridden inside final 3f, soon lost place
bumped start, raced towards far side, led group and prominent overall, led overall approaching halfway, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon outpaced to 3rd
raced towards far side, chased leader in group until halfway, driven along 2f out, soon beaten
raced towards near side, in touch, headway to lead near side group over 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, ran on to lead close home
raced towards far side, off the pace and never on terms
went right start, raced towards near side, in touch, ridden halfway, soon beaten
raced near side, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced towards far side, chased leaders, went 2nd in group over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, switched right inside final 2f, led overall inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
raced towards near side and led overall until headed by leader far side approaching halfway, driven 2f out, hung left and headed that side over 1f out, weakened final furlong
steadied start, raced towards far side, and outpaced throughout
The second division of a desperate contest and a token vote goes to EVER THE OPTIMIST. He was beaten less than a length at Brighton last time and may improve again as he's lightly-raced for his age. Flaxen Lake won at Wolverhampton in between a couple of dismal efforts on Turf and Royal Box finished third over 7f here in June, though he's been beaten out of sight in a couple of starts since. Greyemkay was also placed over a longer trip at this track last time and Compton Target won a claimer at Leicester earlier in the season.
Ever The Optimist (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Raced keenly, ridden and edged left off near side rail over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Langley Vale (9-7) at Brighton 6f mdn hcap 0-65 (6) gs.
Flaxen Lake 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaderr, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 17l behind Juarla (8-10) at Bath 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Royal Box 11-2 (9-4) Towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 12, 14l behind Sir Mozart (9-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Athaakeel (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Held up, outpaced and dropped to rear over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 11l behind Basilica (8-6) at Warwick 6f sell stks (6) gd.
Cristaliyev 25-1 (9-1) Raced wide in touch, improved over 6f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 17l behind Climaxfortackle (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Forty Proof (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) In touch in rear, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 4th of 8, 5l behind Red Rhythm (9-1) at Ffos Las 5f hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Jul.
Compton Target (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 15l behind Exceedexpectations (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Greyemkay 10-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Memphis Man (9-2) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Portrush Storm 16-1 (8-5) Close up, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Maltease Ah (8-4) at Leicester 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Grande Illusion 33-1 (8-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon dropped away, 7th of 10, 17l behind King Vahe (9-6) at Salisbury 7f all hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
