held up in rear, never a factor
prominent, driven 2f out, edged left when weakening final furlong
never better than mid-division
towards rear, ridden along and headway over 2f, stayed on final furlong
led, ridden over 2f, headed over 1f, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, quickened to lead over 1f out, clear, ridden out final furlong
mid-division, effort halfway, soon beaten
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up, headway on inner 2f out, switched left approaching final furlong, ran on
held up, effort over 3f, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, soon beaten
Hartshead is given the narrow vote ahead of Paraguay and Handsome Falcon. The selection has had a successful career winning eight times from forty nine attempts. He has though been winless for over two years and as a result he has slipped down the weights to what looks like a winnable mark. He ran well when finishing an eye catching second at York three outings ago and if recapturing that form he will prove hard to beat. Paraguay will prove to be the biggest danger to the selection. He won back to back races at the start of the season and shot up the weights as a result and the handicapper might have him where he wants him for the time being. Handsome Falcon is only three pounds higher for winning at Ayr last time out and looks more than capable of being in the frame once again if reproducing that form. But for the winner we return to Hartshead.
Passion Fruit 20-1 (8-13) Behind, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 13th of 17, 19l behind Medici Pearl (8-12) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Handsome Falcon 11-4fav (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Ayr 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug beating Moheebb (8-11) by a nk, 11 ran.
King of Rhythm (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Held up, ridden 3f out, no impression, 9th of 11, 9l behind Russian Epic (9-13) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Paraguay (USA) 6-1 (9-5) Raced far side, in touch, led that group 2f out, kept on, no chance with stands' side, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Carlitos Spirit (9-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Demolition (9-2) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Jonny Lesters Hair (IRE) 11-4fav (8-8) In touch, ridden to lead 3f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Willkandoo (8-11) at Catterick 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Mr Toshiwonka 8-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on well to lead near line, won at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug beating Handsome Falcon (9-12) by a nk, 9 ran.
Nok Twice (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-3) at Ayr 7f hcap (5) hvy.
We're Delighted 20-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Shanzu (9-1) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft.
Champain Sands (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, not much room entering final furlong, switched right and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Major Magpie (9-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
West End Lad 5-1fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, switched right and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Granary (8-11) at Leicester 7f hcap (5) hvy.
Shadowtime 25-1 (9-1) Chased leader, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Gazboolou (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcap (5) pol.
Hartshead 18-1 (9-3) Behind until some late headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 9th of 16, 11l behind Major Magpie (9-8) at Pontefract 1m hcap (4) gs.
Flores Sea (USA) 4-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Zabeel Tower (9-10) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug.
