tracked leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
towards rear, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
keen tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
taken to post early, in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
dwelt towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on, not reach leaders
dwelt towards rear, headway over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on
taken to post early, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
reared badly in stalls very slowly away and lost all chance
taken to post early, tracked leader until ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Dapper Man, Bahuta Acha and Only Spoofing have all struggled racing off higher marks after victories earlier in the year but Venturous had a tough task at Ascot last time and is better judged on an earlier second at Chester. Foxtrot Knight is upped in class after placing off today’s mark at Pontefract on his latest start but MY NAME IS RIO won off a higher mark last year and found only one too good at Ayr last time. Michael Dods’ charge looks set for a return to winning ways on that evidence and gets the vote.
Intense Romance (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway halfway, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Copper Knight (9-2) at Newcastle 5f hcp (2) pol in Jun.
Willytheconqueror (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Pressed leader, driven over 2f out, soon outpaced, behind over 1f out, last of 5, 17 1/4l behind Tarboosh (9-1) at Hamilton 5f stks (3) gd in Aug.
Dapper Man (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along and hanging right over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 5 1/4l behind Excessable (9-2) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Bahuta Acha 14-1 (9-8) Led far side group and well on terms, hung right under pressure when groups merged over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Fille De Reve (9-8) at Haydock 6f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Show Palace 16-1 (9-6) Dwelt, in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, last of 6, 12 3/4l behind Powerallied (9-10) at Chester 5f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
My Name Is Rio (IRE) 5-2 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Longroom (9-10) at Ayr 5f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Venturous (IRE) 9-1 (8-4) Half reared and started slowly, held up in centre, never on terms, 8th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Blue De Vega (9-3) at Ascot 5f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Camacho Chief (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Behind and soon outpaced, headway under pressure 2f out, soon ridden, kept on, never able to challenge, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Henley (9-9) at Thirsk 5f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Only Spoofing (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Steadied start, in touch, headway over 1f out, kept on well closing stages, never nearer, 4th of 7, 3/4l behind Dynamo Walt (9-7) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (3) pol in Aug.
Suitcase 'n' Taxi 12-1 (9-4) Reared start and very slowly away, always behind, last of 19, 23 1/2l behind Quick Look (9-5) at York 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Marietta Robusti (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Raced wide, pressed leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 12, 14 1/2l behind Gabrial The Saint (8-10) at Chester 6f hcp (3) gd in May.
Desert Ace (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Restrained leaving start and soon last, headway when not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, kept on, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Classic Pursuit (10-3) at Pontefract 5f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Foxtrot Knight 9-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Classic Pursuit (10-3) at Pontefract 5f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
