chased leaders in 3rd on outer, pushed along in 2nd from 2f out, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong and dropped to 4th close home
mid-division, pushed along in 5th 2f out, soon ridden, 5th on outer 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, went 2nd close home, never nearer
chased leader in 2nd, pushed along halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and no impression from 2f out
broke well and made all, ridden under 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, all out close home
chased leaders in 5th, pushed along in 4th 2f out, soon ridden, 4th on outer 1f out, kept on well final furlong, went 3rd near line, never nearer
broke well, soon chased leaders in 4th, ridden from 2f out, no impression
mid-division on inner, ridden along from 2f out, no impression
always behind, no impression from 2f out, never a factor
This looks a 'soft' Group 1 but HAVANA GREY has form at this level having finished a decent fifth in the Nunthorpe where he only faded close home. A Group 2 winner here in July, when he had Gorane and Battle Of Jericho behind, he probably only has Sioux Nation to worry about though the Ballydoyle colt never got into contention in the York event and is better over another furlong. Hit The Bid is a smart handicapper and Listed-class performer who was twice behind the veteran Take Cover around this time a year ago though the latter was behind the selection at York and didn't have much to beat in a Listed contest at Beverley last time.
Hit The Bid 8-1 (9-7) Prominent and disputed lead halfway, ridden in 2nd under 2f out, under pressure and edged left inside final furlong, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Blue Uluru (9-0) at Tipperary 5f lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in Aug.
Son Of Rest 16-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden 2f out and no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Speak In Colours (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Take Cover 3-1jfav (9-0) Made all, hard driven over 1f out, ran on well, won at Beverley 5f lst stks (1) gf in Sep beating Mythmaker (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Battle Of Jericho (USA) 15-8 (9-7) Held up, 2nd halfway, headway to challenge 1f out, pushed along and narrowly led over 100 yards out, kept on well, held on, won at Navan 6f gd in Sep beating Gordon Lord Byron (9-4) by shd, 3 ran.
Havana Grey 25-1 (9-9) Raced alone towards far side, well in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, no extra towards finish, 5th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Alpha Delphini (9-11) at York 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Sioux Nation (USA) 16-1 (9-9) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never threatened leaders, 8th of 15, 5 1/4l behind Alpha Delphini (9-11) at York 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Gorane (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Mid-division towards far side, pushed along under 2f out and ridden in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, no impression final 100 yards, 6th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Blue Uluru (9-0) at Tipperary 5f lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in Aug.
Different League (FR) 9-4fav (9-0) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and headway under 2f out, ridden in 5th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Blue Uluru (9-0) at Tipperary 5f lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in Aug.
Now You're Talking (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Dwelt, rear of mid-division on stands' side, ridden 2f out and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, never a factor, 9th of 15, 7 1/4l behind Blue Uluru (9-0) at Tipperary 5f lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in Aug.
