prominent, lost position and weakened from over 1f out
prominent, ridden and dropped to rear 2f out, soon beaten
midfield, ridden and made no impression from 2f out
in touch with leaders, smooth headway halfway, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ridden and hung left entering final furlong, kept on but edged left towards finish, always doing enough
towards rear, ridden and outpaced halfway, never on terms
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, good headway 2f out, ridden and went second over 1f out, kept on but held by winner final furlong
prominent, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, smooth headway halfway, ridden and went third entering final furlong, kept on, nearest finish
towards rear, minor headway 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out
towards rear, headway halfway, weakened from over 1f out
midfield in touch, ridden and weakened from 2f out
NonRunner
NonRunner
No surprise to see Copper Knight lining up in a handicap which honours his achievements at this track. He’s one of the senior runners in this but won here again in July and followed up at Pontefract and has every chance of a sixth course victory if getting the run of the race. Dakota Gold, also a nine-year-old, also seeks a sixth win on the Knavesmire but he has not been at his best lately. Alligator Alley had been in good form prior to his run at Haydock last month, however, and Never Dark got back to winning ways at that track. Strong Johnson justified market support at Ripon and Nomadic Empire slips further down the weights but Bond Chairman has lost his way. Looking For Lynda made all and held off WEN MOON here two runs ago but Ben Haslam’s gelding could enjoy revenge on slightly better terms having run well again since over track and trip.
Bond Chairman 50-1 (9-10) Mid-division, pushed along and dropped away over 2f out, last of 19, 18 3/4l behind Vintage Clarets (9-3) at York 5f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Dakota Gold 17-2 (9-12) Midfield on near side, pushed along before halfway, ridden 2f out, found little and weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Dare To Hope (8-7) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Looking For Lynda (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Led on near side rail, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Korker (9-5) at Beverley 5f stks (2) sft in Sep.
Wen Moon (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden and edged left from over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 19, nk behind Vintage Clarets (9-3) at York 5f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Strong Johnson (IRE) 7-2jfav (9-11) Soon prominent down centre, chased leaders 1f out, ran on strongly when led inside final 110 yards, kept on well near finish, always doing enough, won at Ripon 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Vadamiah (9-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Never Dark 8-1 (8-2) Made all, ridden 1f out, ran on strongly, always doing enough, won at Haydock 5f hcp (2) sft in Sep beating Spoof (8-11) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Nomadic Empire (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Awkward start, mid-division, pushed along 2f out, ridden and went 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Brazen Bolt (9-4) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Copper Knight (IRE) 28-1 (8-7) Front rank, ridden along over 2f out, lost position over 1f out, soon beaten, 11th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Raasel (10-0) at Haydock 5f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Shalaa Asker 28-1 (8-4) In touch near side, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 7th of 20, 2 1/2l behind Equilateral (9-12) at York 5f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Dickieburd 40-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never on terms, 8th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Vintage Clarets (9-3) at York 5f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Thunder Star 8-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, effort and switched left inside 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Yarmouth 5f hcp (4) gs in Sep beating Gemini Star (9-6) by nk, 10 ran.
Count D'Orsay (IRE) 7-2fav (8-9) Close up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon chased leader, 2 lengths down approaching final furlong, kept on inside final furlong but no match for winner, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Democracy Dilemma (9-9) at Chester 5f hcp (3) hvy in Sep.
Alligator Alley 13-2 (9-3) In touch, ridden and made no impression from over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Raasel (10-0) at Haydock 5f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Bergerac (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Prominent near side, led group over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon no chance with other groups, 18th of 25, 12 3/4l behind Wobwobwob (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
