in touch, headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven and ran on, joined on line
held up well in rear, still plenty to do 2f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished fast to force dead heat on line
mid-division on outside, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
led to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, bumped when weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, never in contention
tracked leader, led approaching 2f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, good headway on inside well over 1f out, pressed leaders inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish
mid-division on outside, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
always behind, ridden 4f out, soon struggling and virtually pulled up final 2f
chased leaders until weakend 3f out
Street Warrior gets the narrow vote here over Benandonner and Cape Diamond. The selection won well last time at Leicester when he managed to knock almost half-a-second off the course record. He is stepped-up in trip again here which will suit and he will take all the beating. Benandonner has been in good form of late and he will be a big danger to all if he is allowed an easy lead from the front. He remains on the upgrade and is respected. Cape Diamond will be suited by the return to the all-weather after disappointing on the turf at Brighton last time. He goes well here and if he runs up to his best then he is entitled to make the frame. Gracechurch is on a handy mark and is another to consider but for the winner we are happy to return to Street Warrior.
Tommy Toogood (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Raced stands side, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Plum Pudding (9-2) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sept.
Street Warrior (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept beating Cursum Perficio (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Benandonner (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Led, pressed approaching 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, nk behind Charlie Tokyo (8-8) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft.
Cape Diamond (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Took keen hold, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind And Again (9-5) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Royal Reservation 10-1 (8-13) Behind, ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 13, 12l behind Cross The Line (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sept.
Royal Amnesty 8-1 (8-10) Held up in mid-division, not clear run inside final 2f out, switched left and stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Stotsfold (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sept.
Southport Star (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, some headway on inside approaching final furlong, soon eased, last of 14, 7l behind Keyaki (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) pol.
Gracechurch (IRE) 4-1fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, one pace, 7th of 16, 9l behind Trouble Mountain (9-4) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
