slowly into stride, behind, effort 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, driven and one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden halfway, driven to lead inside final furlong
chased leaders, not much room 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, not much room 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
raced alone far side, no impression final 2f
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
with leaders, every chance 1f out, kept on final furlong
with leader, every chance 1f out, kept on towards finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous
slowly into stride, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, short of room and soon behind
chased leaders, driven 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, close up 1f out, not quicken towards finish
prominent, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, never dangerous
led, driven and headed over 1f out, soon beaten
A very tough contest to call but we'll look right down to the foot of the list and take GRUDGE to land the prize with Lord Of The Reins among a number of dangers. The selection loves to get his toe in and was a soft-ground scorer at Chester last time. He has a nice high draw here and is generally in good form, so he may well be up to defying a 7lb rise with this nice racing weight on his back. Lord Of The Reins is at the other end of the scale after a Newmarket win in a similar race to this last time and although he has won on soft he does tend to prefer it quicker and that may just scupper his chance. Judge 'N Jury is in cracking form and relishes this ground so he must enter calculations, while Captain Dunne will also enjoy the ground but might just be in the grip of the handicapper. Malapropism has dropped to a dangerously low mark and handles cut, so a win for him would be no shock though a combination of weight and not ideal ground has gone against Invincible Lad. He will struggle to live up to such a grand tag, so prefer to side with Grudge.
Lord of The Reins (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up behind, switched to stands' rail 2f out, strong run entering final furlong, led final 50 yards, won at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug beating Fantasy Explorer (9-6) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
The Jobber (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) In touch, not clear run over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, kept on, 5th of 13, 2l behind Supermassive Muse (8-13) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Judge 'n Jury 4-1 (9-2) With winner, ridden, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Equuleus Pictor (8-10) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Fantasy Explorer 8-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged right and led just inside final furlong, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Lord of The Reins (9-6) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
He's A Humbug (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) With leader stands side, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, 9l behind Bel Cantor (8-0) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Captain Dunne (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (8-12) Slowly into stride and behind, outpaced halfway and never dangerous, 9th of 13, 9l behind Ishetoo (9-9) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Golden Dixie (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, outpaced over 1f out, 9th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Equuleus Pictor (8-10) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Northern Bolt 7-1 (9-1) Soon led, driven over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Baldemar (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Rasaman (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders on stand's side for over 2f, soon behind, last of 20, 19l behind Total Impact (8-8) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Jack Rackham 18-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, no impression, 12th of 14, 6l behind Everymanforhimself (9-8) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Know No Fear 9-2 (9-9) In touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Jaconet (8-5) at York 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Hotham 17-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, hung right and lost place over 1f out, 11th of 14, 7l behind Mister Hardy (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Aug.
Haajes 5-2 (9-9) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, soon lost place, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 7, 4l behind Obe One (8-5) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Wibbadune (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Awkward start, soon in touch, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, last of 11, 11l behind Woodcote (9-10) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Aug.
Malapropism 3-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, chased winner 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Gentle Guru (9-11) at Folkestone 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
Make My Dream 7-2fav (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, stayed on again inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 10, 1l behind Equuleus Pictor (8-10) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Blazing Heights 3-1fav (9-3) Held up behind, ridden approaching final furlong, stayed on well, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Lake Chini (8-5) at Thirsk 5f app hcp (5) sft.
Invincible Lad (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Chased leader, headway and ridden 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Cape Royal (9-11) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-60 (5) gf in Jul.
Yungaburra (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Towards rear, soon ridden, some late headway, never reached challenging position, 8th of 15, 6l behind Haajes (9-8) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Grudge 5-2 (9-5) Made all, kept on well, won at Chester 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug beating Littledodayno (9-3) by 2l, 9 ran.
