in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home
half-reared start and slowly away, outpaced, plenty to do 2f out, ridden and ran on strongly final furlong, led close home
close up, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced alone far side, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden halfway, ran on towards finish, nearest finish
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
dwelt, tracked leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
Count D'orsay was a disappointing favourite at Leicester but beat Broken Spear, Dark Shot and Teruntum Star when landing this 12 months ago. He is 8lb higher, though beat Militia and stable companion Copper Knight when successful at Haydock last month. David O’Meara couldn’t explain the improvement shown by Musicka at York last time but it could be that the six-year-old just reserves his best for the Knavesmire. Lord Riddiford is 6lb better off for just under three lengths so should get closer today but collateral form also ties in RAYONG, who beat York third Illusionist at Pontefract in July. The three-year-old’s ability to handle the ground will have to be taken on trust but he makes more appeal than Justanotherbottle, who needs it much quicker.
Count D'Orsay (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Chased leader until over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out,, 5th of 6, 7 3/4l behind Blue De Vega (9-7) at Leicester 5f hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Rayong 28-1 (9-1) Held up in midfield in far side group, ridden and some headway over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 21st of 24, 11 1/2l behind Nahaarr (9-5) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Justanotherbottle (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders centre, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakening when short of room over 1f out, 19th of 21, 16 1/2l behind Stone Of Destiny (9-0) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Muscika 40-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Mighty Spirit (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 20 ran.
Copper Knight (IRE) 5-1jfav (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 8th of 20, 4 3/4l behind Muscika (9-2) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Lord Riddiford (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Prominent, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 20, 2 3/4l behind Muscika (9-2) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Broken Spear 9-2 (9-3) In touch, travelled strongly to lead over 1f out, ran on well under pressure final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Aplomb (9-7) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Militia 16-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 13th of 20, 8 1/2l behind Muscika (9-2) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Teruntum Star (FR) 20-1 (8-12) Raced stands side, held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, 19th of 20, 11 3/4l behind Muscika (9-2) at York 5f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Dark Shot 13-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced 2f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Exalted Angel (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
