slow into stride, in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on, never nearer
keen tracked leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish
close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led after 1f, clear 6f out, reduced lead 3f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right and headed inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 1f out, never a factor
close up, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led 1f, tracked clear leader, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, asserted towards finish
held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor
towards rear, ridden and headway inside final furlong, nearest finish
Too competitive a contest to be dogmatic but BIT OF A QUIRKE could well make it four in a row at a track that should suit his prominent running style if Andrew Mullen can exploit the benefits of the number one draw from the gate. The Walford inmate is only up 8lb for three wins and looked as good as ever last time at Beverley. He ties in very closely with Zlatan on recent running and the latter is once again expected to be in the mix on the back of four successive runner-up efforts. Hats Off To Larry has formbook claims whilst Dark Devil has to be noted carefully as he enjoys a strong record at this track and should get involved despite topweight.
Dark Devil (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 4, 8 1/4l behind Ourmullion (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Zlatan (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway going well on outside from over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, edged right, headed close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Maifalki (9-3) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Bakht A Rawan (IRE) 9-4jfav (8-13) Led, hard driven when quickened over 3f out, headed inside final furlong, soon rallied, kept on well, 2nd of 4, nk behind Ourmullion (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Hats Off To Larry 9-4 (9-2) Tracked clear leader, closer over 5f out, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Oh It's Saucepot (9-9) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
Andok (IRE) 17-2 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, hung left and one pace over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 12 1/2l behind Mukhayyam (9-8) at York 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Bristol Missile (USA) 8-1 (9-7) Led 2f, tracked leader, led again 6f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Biotic (8-7) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
X Rated (IRE) 9-4 (9-9) Close up on outside, pressed winner over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon lost place, no chance with front pair final furlong, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Rock N Rolla (9-7) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Bit Of A Quirke 7-4fav (8-11) Made all, set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, unchallenged, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jul beating Purple Rock (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Ice Canyon 9-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Benadalid (9-0) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Bell Heather (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Feb beating My Fantasea (9-0) by 1l, 13 ran.
Redgrave (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Daira Prince (9-7) at Nottingham 1m hcp (4) gf in May.
