tracked leaders on inside and always going well, switched right tracking leader well over 1f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, eased close home,
steadied start, held up in last pair, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish
held up towards rear, short lived effort on inside over 1f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway and forced to wide outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
held up in mid-division, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, no threat after
mid-division on outside, ridden and beaten when lugged left well over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened and lost 2 places towards finish
tracked leading pair until pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
chased leader until entering final 2f, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, always in last pair, never a factor
held up in mid-division on inside, headway to 4th and switched right 2f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner, held on for 2nd
mid-division, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to 4th towards finish and closed on 3rd, never going pace to challenge
Ocean Tempest is in great heart and had Alejandro and Apostle behind when winning over a slightly longer trip here earlier this month. Laffan also has claims, however, as he's come back to his best lately and beat Chosen Character, Rusty Rocket, Zacynthus and Dr Red Eye over track and trip last month before finishing a close-up third at Ayr when given plenty to do. Rene Mathis has been knocking on the door but the drop back to 7f may just suit COUNTRY WESTERN and this looks a little bit easier than recent tests. Charlie Hills' three-year-old gets a tentative vote.
Ocean Tempest 7-4fav (9-10) Chased leaders, challenged near side 2f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, led over 1f out, soon edged left, hard ridden inside final furlong, strongly pressed close home, rider lost rein final strides, just held held on, won at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd beating Shesastar (8-12) by shd, 9 ran.
Monsieur Chevalier (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Raced far side dwelt always in rear, 15th of 21, 9l behind Angels Will Fall (9-2) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gs.
Chosen Character (IRE) 18-1 (9-8) Held up, headway on outer over 1f, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Laffan (9-5) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Laffan (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd place inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Silver Rime (8-6) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gs.
Wannabe King 12-1 (9-1) Led until ridden over 2f out, chased leader until ridden hung right and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Pacific Heights (9-5) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-95 (3) sft.
Alejandro (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, no impression on leaders, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 12, 8l behind Ocean Tempest (9-5) at Chester 1m hcp 0-90 (3) sft.
Dr Red Eye 25-1 (8-10) Chased leader in centre until 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after, 12th of 14, 17l behind Sir Reginald (8-10) at Doncaster 6f hcp 105 (2) gs.
Zacynthus (IRE) 13-2 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms, 7th of 13, 5l behind Laffan (9-5) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Rusty Rocket (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Behind far side, weakened over 1f out, finished 10th off far side group, 20th of 27, 13l behind Circuitous (8-11) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) sft.
Apostle (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Switched left soon after start, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no headway, 10th of 12, 18l behind Ocean Tempest (9-5) at Chester 1m hcp 0-90 (3) sft.
Rene Mathis (GER) 11-2 (8-7) Led, ridden and hard pressed over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Correspondent (9-7) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Aug.
Country Western 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 17, 9l behind Ascription (9-7) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jul.
Gandalak (FR) 25-1 (8-13) Mid-division stand side, weakened well over 1f out, 22nd of 27, 18l behind Ancient Cross (9-10) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gs.
Sorella Bella (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, no chance with leaders from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 19l behind Lanansaak (8-8) at Ascot 1m flls hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
