chased leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
behind, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders
led 2f, tracked leader, lost place 2f out, kept on under pressure until no extra inside final furlong
raced keenly, tracked leader, led after 2f, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed and continued to hang right towards stand side rail inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders on outside, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, held near finish
always behind
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never near leaders
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, lost place 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A very competitive race for the money and one where RIFLESSIONE might be good enough to get his nose back in front from a decent draw. Ron Harris's gelding goes well here and over sprint trips, having performed with plenty of credit from today's mark on turf at Bath last time. He should be very competitive once again and is selected. Progress is up 2lb for nosing home in front at Brighton and has won on Kempton's Polytrack so has to have claims, while first-time blinkers make Bushwhacker another very interesting prospect for this contest over a trip that suits. Defector will find this plenty tough enough under a penalty, while Toms Return makes his handicap debut from a competitive mark of 70 and is respected.
Defector (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, soon led, ridden over 1f out, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Stratton Banker (8-5) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bushwhacker (AUS) 7-2 (9-5) In touch in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Yes We Can (8-12) at Bath 6f mdn stks (5) gf.
Pose (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Led, headed over 4f out, ridden and switched right 2f out, hampered and lost place over 1f out, last of 11, 12l behind Avon Lady (9-6) at Kempton 7f fll hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Bookiesindex Boy 14-1 (9-4) Held up, headway halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 19l behind Westwood (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Aug.
Kummel Excess (IRE) 28-1 (8-10) Dwelt, keen, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 3rd 1f out until final 50 yards, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind London Gold (9-4) at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Progress (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Made all, strongly challenged from over 1f out, soon under pressure, just held on, won at Brighton 7f flls hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Ivory Lace (9-2) by ns, 7 ran.
Riflessione 7-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Barons Spy (9-7) at Bath 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Opus Dei 5-1 (8-9) Hampered 6f out, in rear, came wide entering straight, never dangerous, last of 7, 6l behind Mass Rally (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Toms Return 12-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway on inside well over 1f out, driven to 2nd inside final furlong and stayed on, not able to reach winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Elsie's Orphan (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Avontuur (FR) 9-2 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Divertimenti (9-2) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Charles Darwin (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Led 1f, chased leader, ridden well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Fantasy Fighter (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
