held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
dwelt, always behind
tracked leaders, led after about 1f, clear over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on well
led for about 1f, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
prominent, headway over 3f out, led briefly over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
always towards rear
close up, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
A cracking contest with the weights headed by Face The Facts, who won a Listed race at Newmarket last month but may not be suited by the drop back in distance. Star Of The East came again to win at Haydock last month and Mark Johnston also runs recent Ascot winner Dominating. Gold Star steps up in trip but is a half-brother to stayer Winning Story and will make a bold bid to complete the hat-trick. Star Rock and Bolder Bob are also chasing a three-timer but Brimham Rocks has gone up in the weights again since beaten at Hamilton and looks held on collateral form. THE GRAND VISIR (NAP) was fifth in the Melrose here in August, which has already produced several subsequent winners, and that is possibly the best form on offer - the booking of Silvestre De Sousa hasn't harmed his chances today.
Face The Facts (IRE) 9-2 (8-7) Held up in rear, headway on outside 3f out, challenged inside final furlong, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Newmarket 2m lst stks (1) gs in Sep beating Nearly Caught (9-6) by 1l, 10 ran.
Gold Star 5-6fav (9-3) Tracked leader, driven to lead 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on, comfortably, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Sep beating Abjar (8-10) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Joshua Reynolds 11-4fav (8-13) Towards rear, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 15 3/4l behind Taxmeifyoucan (8-4) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Dominating (GER) 3-1fav (8-11) Close up, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, quickened approaching final furlong, joined inside final furlong, found extra near finish, won at Ascot 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Altaayil (9-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Brimham Rocks 7-2 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sepal (8-8) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
The Grand Visir 9-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, driven to lead briefly over 2f out, soon ridden, lost place over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 19, 3l behind Secret Advisor (9-2) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Percy's Word 3-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden clear 2f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Aug beating Nadaitak (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Star Of The East (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Led, headed over 8f out, led again 2f out, held on well towards finish, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) hvy in Sep beating Sepal (9-10) by 1l, 8 ran.
Star Rock 5-2fav (8-9) Raced keenly, in touch, took closer order over 3f out, led over 2f out, strongly challenged approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp fll (3) gd in Sep beating Cribbs Causeway (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bolder Bob (IRE) 8-11fav (9-0) Tracked clear leading pair, headway on wide outside into 3rd 2f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Sep beating Overhaugh Street (8-9) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Je Suis Charlie 11-8fav (8-8) In rear, headway over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, soon led, ridden over 1f out, kept on and headed close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Mr Sundowner (8-0) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Fools And Kings 8-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, not much room over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, clear towards finish, readily, won at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep beating Knight Destroyer (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Count Simon (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Made all, shaken up and clear well over 1f out, held on well towards finish, won at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Sep beating Canny Style (9-13) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
