held up in rear, ran on inside final furlong, eased when held near finish
held up mid-division, headway under pressure on inside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
always towards rear
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, chased winner after, just held on for 2nd
slowly into stride, soon rousted along into mid-division, driven along over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up well in rear, still plenty to do 2f out, headway on wide outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished fast
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leader to over 2f out, soon weakened
led, driven and headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, never travelling, always in rear
always rear division
in touch, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leaders on outer, headway under pressure 2f out, driven and ran on to lead final 150 yards
A tight handicap can go the way of top-weight Coeur Courageux ahead of Classira and Cativo Cavallino. The selection can be frustratingly in-and-out but he certainly retains plenty of ability and previously with Dandy Nicholls, he has his first outing today for Gary Moore. His trainer excels at taking other horses who appear to have lost their way and improving them so watch for significant improvement today, especially now returned to the all-weather where he has a fine record. Stall twelve isn't ideal but he likes to held up so if he gets the breaks late on then he should go close. Swinbrook is arguably better over six furlongs, so is passed over along with Carmenero who would prefer a longer trip. St Petersburg, Moayed, Yaroslave and Cativo Cattallino have all won over course and distance and there are plenty of other course winners in the lineup so dangers lurk everywhere. Classira is consistent but may prefer further, although a strongly run race would certainly play to her strengths. A tough handicap, but Coeur Courageux gets the nomination.
Coeur Courageux (FR) 3-1fav (9-9) Steadied start, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Just Bond (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
Swinbrook (USA) 6-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon hard ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Esteem Machine (9-1) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
St Petersburg 66-1 (8-7) Chased leading pair far side group, ridden and weakened 3f out, last of 20, well behind Very Wise (8-11) at Newcastle 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Russian Symphony (USA) 16-1 (9-8) Always mid-division, 13th of 21, 13l behind Middlemarch (9-5) at Ascot 7f ldy rds hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Moayed 14-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up and always in rear, last of 10, 5l behind Resplendent Nova (9-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Aug.
Yaroslav (USA) 9-1 (8-13) Raced centre, always in rear, 13th of 15, 18l behind Lap of Honour (8-7) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Carmenero (GER) 25-1 (9-1) Chased winner, every chance form 2f out until not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 10, nk behind Resplendent Nova (9-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Aug.
Classira (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 8l behind Lordship (7-11) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp (4) hvy in Aug.
Cativo Cavallino 11-2 (8-7) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, led inside final 2f, soon hung left, in command final furlong, easily, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug beating Proud Killer (8-13) by 5l, 11 ran.
Sun Catcher (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, not quite pace to challenge, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Tamino (8-11) at Newbury 6f app hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Rocker 9-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, effort 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Millisecond (9-4) at Folkestone 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Sophia Gardens 10-1 (8-8) Led 1f, tracked leader afterwards, effort to join leader 2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 11l behind Oakley Heffert (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Hessian (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Chased leaders on inside, ridden and one pace when lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Amarna (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
