soon outpaced and behind
chased leaders, one pace from over 1f out
with leaders, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, chased leaders halfway, kept on
mid-division, one pace from over 1f out
behind, headway over 3f out, led 1f out, kept on well
towards rear, ridden halfway, soon weakened
in touch, stayed on inside final furlong
soon outpaced and behind
behind, headway 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
raced alone stands side, never on terms
behind and outpaced, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest at finish
behind, edged right 2f out, soon one pace
led, headed 1f out, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
GUTO edges the vote in the finale. Kings College Boy rates as a big threat on the best of his efforts, while Sands Crooner and Joyeaux cannot be ruled out in a race of this nature. Joyeaux is hard to win with and has endured a frustrating season. Still, that fact is countered by her attractive handicap mark, so the six-year-old is no forlorn hope today. Sand Crooner was just behind the selection when they met here in August but has a feasible chance of reversing the form on these terms (4lb better off today.) His turf form is less convincing than his all-weather profile, though. And he needs everything to drop right for him. Kings College Boy finished second in this race last year and races from just a 1lb higher mark. Leading apprentice, Freddie Tylicki, pitches in to bolster the top weight's chances by taking 5lb off with his claim. So a betting move for the eight-year-old would be dangerous to ignore. However, Guto is also back on a winning mark and, as Kelly Harrison knows the five-year-old inside-out, the pieces fit together to give Bill Ratcliffe's gelding another throw of the dice.
Kings College Boy 9-1 (8-8) Always rear division, 12th of 13, 15l behind Invincible Lad (9-3) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Metal Guru 13-2 (8-10) Hampered soon after start, held up towards rear, not clear run after 2f out, headway well over 1f out, ran on well towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Pride of Northcare (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Colorus (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead stand side group 1f out, headed by that group inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 13, 1l behind Dragon Flame (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Liberty Ship 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Medici Time (9-3) at Redcar 6f mdn stk (5) gd.
Sands Crooner (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon switched right, stayed on well to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Dragon Flame (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Joyeaux 17-2 (8-12) Raced stands' side, in touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind La Famiglia (9-0) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
The History Man (IRE) 22-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 13, 5l behind Dragon Flame (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Select Committee 5-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden 2f out, hung left final furlong, stayed on, 5th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Dragon Flame (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Micky Mac (IRE) 4-1fav (8-12) Led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 17, 8l behind Prince Golan (8-6) at Leicester 7f app hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Ryedane (IRE) 10-3fav (9-1) Led after 1f, challenged from 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 8th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Royal Challenge (9-5) at W'hampton 6f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Guto 4-1jt-fav (11-12) Chased leaders, soon outpaced, one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 9l behind Whozart (11-3) at Catterick 5f amt hcp (6) gd.
Tender Process (IRE) 7-2fav (8-12) Pushed along to chased leaders, weakened entering final furlong, 10th of 13, 6l behind Dragon Flame (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Zamalik (USA) 14-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Trans Sonic (8-12) at Catterick 7f hcap (6) gs in Sept.
Wicked Wilma (IRE) 9-2fav (8-10) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Note Perfect (8-5) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy.
Fish Called Johnny 50-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, last of 19, 16l behind Haajes (9-5) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
