in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, quickened to lead approaching final furlong, pushed out, readily
held up, headway on inner over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on one pace
slowly away in rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on, not reach leaders
in rear, switched to outer over 6f out, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden when not much room 2f out, stayed on final furlong
soon led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly away towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, never nearer
Scarlet Minstrel's debut effort over today's trip at Chester does not inspire confidence though he is weighted to beat recent Newcastle runner-up Field Of Light on today's terms. But BLACK NIGHT is less exposed than both and, with a recent belated comeback at Ripon under his belt, he may prove good enough in this. Royal Reef is another likely improver while Dexterous will appreciate the longer trip on her return to action.
Coup De Vent 80-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, 6th of 7, 18 1/2l behind Rib Reserve (9-0) at Bath 1m 2f mdn stks (6) gf in May.
Black Night (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 6 3/4l behind High And Flighty (8-12) at Ripon 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gd in Aug.
Field Of Light 11-4fav (9-6) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Ella's Honour (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Midnight Whistler (USA) Henrythenavigator colt out of Ball Gown.
Royal Reef (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, rallied approaching final furlong, never a threat, 4th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Desdichado (9-5) at Ffos Las 1m 2f mdn stks (5) hvy in Aug.
Scarlet Minstrel 18-1 (8-13) Held up behind, took keen hold, pushed along over 2f out, soon outpaced, 6th of 8, 12 1/2l behind Searching (8-8) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Sneaking Budge 11-4fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along and raced green over 5f out, some headway 3f out, weakening when slightly hampered 2f out, 9th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Yeats Magic (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Thecornishbarron (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, pushed along over 8f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 18l behind Moonlight Sonata (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Aug.
Dexterous 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, 12th of 13, 12 3/4l behind Entitling (9-5) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Dissertation (8-13) 9th of 12, 18 1/2l behind Shiba (8-10) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f fll stks gd in May.
