in rear, effort over 2f out, kept on, not able to challenge
chased leaders, went 2nd entering final furlong, unable to challenge
in rear, headway from 3f out, kept on, no threat
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, on outside, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ran on well
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out
led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, beaten from over 1f out
in rear, headway from over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up, in rear, never in contention
held up, in mid-division, effort over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
Storm King won this in 2014 and has gradually dropped to a mark he's capable of winning from again. Alejandro hasn't won for two years but generally competes at a slightly higher level without being disgraced so has to be on the shortlist. Shamaheart has been in superb form all summer and showed that this class was no problem when scoring at Redcar so a 4lb rise doesn't look excessive despite the narrow victory. ICONIC was having just her second run of the campaign when just holding on over a mile at Newbury. She's only 2lb higher and with the slightly shorter trip in her favour she can complete a double. Brian Ellison gets plenty of winners here and Echo Of Lightning, who won a Chester handicap in this class last month, can go well.
Free Code (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 4f out, soon dropped out, 13th of 14, 18 3/4l behind Certificate (9-10) at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Alejandro (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Led, headed inside final furlong, no extra closing stages, 5th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Ice Slice (9-11) at Chester 1m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Shamaheart (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon edged left, held on, all out, won at Redcar 7f hcp (4) gf in Aug beating The Commendatore (9-6) by shd, 11 ran.
Iconic (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Raced in group towards stands side, made all, driven over 1f out, held on well, won at Newbury 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun beating Weld Al Emarat (9-7) by hd, 13 ran.
Sovereign Bounty 10-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Thirsk 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Hanseatic (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Mount Tahan (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, led 6f out, headed over 5f out, led over 2f out, soon hung left, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 12th of 16, 8 1/2l behind Boots And Spurs (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Hulcolt (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Alnashama (9-7) at Leicester 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Spryt (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 12th of 16, 4 3/4l behind Breakable (9-10) at Ripon 1m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Storm King 25-1 (9-9) Chased leader until ridden over 2f out, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong,, 4th of 12, 1l behind Normandy Knight (9-1) at Redcar 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Slemy (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) In touch, not clear run over 1f out, switched left, ridden and ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Hidden Rebel (9-8) at Carlisle 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Echo Of Lightning 16-1 (9-2) With leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Ralphy Boy (8-13) at Pontefract 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Normandy Knight 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Redcar 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Quick N Quirky (9-3) by nk, 12 ran.
Swiftee (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 32 1/2l behind Athlon (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Jun.
