in touch on outside, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, outpaced and raced awkwardly 2f out, plugged on again inside final furlong, no threat
held up in last pair, headway on outside 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, sustained challenge final furlong, just failed
slowly into stride, held up and behind, smooth headway and squeezed through over 2f out, led inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed throughout final furlong, just lasted
tracked leader, led approaching final 2f until inside final 2f, chased winner until over 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leaders, every chance 2f out, hung right and weakened over 1f out
Three of the last four favourites have been successful though this looks more competitive than usual. Jack Of Diamonds landed a course and distance handicap last time though takes a step-up in class from a 4lb higher mark. Fleckerl has a similar profile and the ground could be a concern as he looks best on fast going and the all-weather. Franco's Secret would have a real chance if the ground dries out considerably as he did it well at Windsor and is just 2lb higher. Highland Duke hasn't won since 2013 but three-year-olds have a very good record in the race so the vote goes to ZABEEL STAR, who beat two rivals easily over this trip at Haydock before failing to last home over an extra quarter-mile at Chester.
Maverik 25-1 (9-13) Led early, tracked leader until ridden well over 1f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 6 1/2l behind American Artist (9-3) at Windsor 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Freddy With A Y (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) In rear, ridden 2f out, switched right and headway 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Pyrocumulus (9-2) at Brighton 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Woofie (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed 1f out, no extra and lost two places well inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 3/4l behind American Artist (9-3) at Windsor 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Jack Of Diamonds (IRE) 7-4fav (9-11) In touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Sandown 1m hcp (5) gd in Jul beating White Russian (9-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Fleckerl (IRE) 9-4fav (10-0) Held up on inside tracking leaders in 5th, travelling well in 3rd 3f out, not clear run and switched left inside final 2f, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, always holding on, won at Windsor 1m hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Devious Spirit (8-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Zabeel Star (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Berrahri (8-13) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Gun Case 5-2fav (9-1) Held up, pushed along over 4f out, headway 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Father Bertie (9-4) at Redcar 1m hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Ishikawa (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Led, 3 lengths clear 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Mercers Row (9-4) at Carlisle 1m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Highland Duke (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no extra towards finish, 10th of 15, 3 3/4l behind Balmoral Castle (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Franco's Secret 12-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, ran on to lead final 100 yards, just held on, won at Windsor 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Laidback Romeo (9-5) by shd, 7 ran.
