in rear, pushed along to close 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden, edged left and one pace over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
not much room start, soon outpaced and always in rear
in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never on terms
in rear, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, well beaten after
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, outpaced and lost place over 2f out, well held after
fast away, led, headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent, led 2f out, quickened 1f out, ran on well, readily
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway 2f out, pressing for 2nd inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
It's 15 years since a three-year-old last won this Listed sprint. Mecca's Angel looked promising in the spring but hasn't raced since May while Online Alexander was well beaten on her only previous try in this grade. Roger Varian trained last year's winner but the drying ground may not suit Steps, who is also conceding weight all round. Reckless Abandon won twice at the highest level as a juvenile and was only beaten half-a-length on his belated reappearance at Newmarket. But he's possibly not the force of old and is likely to be a short enough price for this. Kingsgate Native doesn't win very often nowadays while Swan Song only beat one home in this race 12 months ago. Charlie Hills appears to have coaxed B FIFTY TWO back to his best and he was never in any danger at Chester last time. Quite well regarded in his younger days, he may be a bit of value today.
Steps (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Pushed along towards rear, never a factor, last of 13, 8l behind Sole Power (9-11) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
B Fifty Two (IRE) 7-2fav (9-8) Made all, pushed clear over 1f out, very easily, won at Chester 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug beating Dungannon (8-11) by 4l, 12 ran.
Kingsgate Native (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 7, 3/4l behind Pearl Secret (9-0) at Beverley 5f Listed stks (1) gf in Aug.
Monsieur Joe (IRE) 66-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Sole Power (9-11) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Noble Storm (USA) 9-1 (9-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, rider lost whip and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 7l behind Steps (9-8) at Haydock 5f Listed stks (1) gs in May.
Reckless Abandon 6-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Tropics (9-1) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Aug.
Demora 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 15, 6l behind Take Cover (9-1) at Goodwood 5f Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Gladiatrix 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 17, 7l behind Go Far (9-3) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Swan Song 6-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Goldream (9-3) at Ascot 5f hcp 105 (2) gd in Aug.
Mecca's Angel (IRE) (8-8) 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Rangali (8-11) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 5f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Online Alexander (IRE) 5-1fav (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon ridden, kept on well, won at York 5f (2) gd in Aug beating Lexington Abbey (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
