soon tracking leader, ridden 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along 6f out, switched left over 2f out, improved over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead near finish
held up in rear, detached over 5f out, effort on outside over 2f out, soon weakened
took keen hold, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, weakened inside final furlong
soon led, ridden over 2f out, kept on well, headed near finish
towards rear, last and detached over 4f out, headway on inside from 2f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on
prominent on outside, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1 out
held up towards rear, headway on outside 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, edged right well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
Plenty of progressive horses here and the most tentative of votes goes to LEADER OF THE LAND. David Lanigan's colt is unbeaten at the track and he deserves his 6lb higher mark than when winning here last month. Allanah Abu is a strong stayer who has risen 20lbs since June, Park View is consistent but one to take on back up in trip in this competitive race, whilst Meetings Man has been holding his form well under both codes this summer. Of more interest however is the quirky-but-wildly-in-form Epic, the dropping-in-class Yashrid, and the capable-of-better Blissful Moment. It says something of the strength-in-depth of this race that Shimmering Moment is left til last and even then readily passed over.
Shimmering Moment (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, effort on wide outside over 3f out, ridden to challenge inside final 2f, led entering final furlong, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Roxy Flyer (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Blissful Moment (USA) 3-1fav (9-2) Raced wide, tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 8l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-0) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Yashrid (USA) 4-1fav (9-7) Soon pushed along in rear, never a factor, eased final 2f, last of 10, well behind Mister Angry (9-5) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Epic (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, led 3f out, ridden and in command final furlong, won at Epsom Downs 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating First Fandango (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Allannah Abu 8-13fav (9-11) Made all, ridden 2 lengths clear inside final 2f, edged right under pressure over 1f out, stayed on gamely inside final furlong, always just doing enough, won at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul beating Albeed (9-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Leader Of The Land (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders and keen, led 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug beating Fantastic Strike (8-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Park View 3-1fav (9-9) Led, pressed from 3f out, narrowly headed 2f out, stayed upsides and challenged throughout final furlong, rallied gamely close home, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Aquarius Star (9-6) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Monkton Vale (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 8l behind Northside Prince (10-0) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Hail Tiberius 9-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden and effort 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 13l behind Hail Bold Chief (9-2) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Meetings Man (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Held up behind in touch, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leaders well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, hung right and went 2nd towards finish, always held, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Saint Thomas (9-6) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
