held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, took 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
raced keen, led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, effort 3f out, soon weakened
led for 1f, remained close up until ridden 3f out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led final furlong, hung right inside last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon led, headed 1f out, one pace
Courageous was good value for his debut success at Redcar but failed to progress from that and was a shade disappointing on a softish surface at Newbury subsequently so Bryan Smart's colt looks best watched with a better bet looking to be MIDNIGHT CRUISER, who gets the vote over Crackdown. The last mentioned was placed on his first two starts but disappointed when last of three when odds on to take a novice race at Nottingham last month on his first start on soft ground, form that is of concern given the ground today. Mick Quinlan's Yorksters Girl seemed not to handle the cut in the ground when well held in the Solera Stakes last time, while the Michael Jarvis-trained Secrecy is well bred but lacks any racing experience and he may be best watched. The vote then goes to Richard Hannon's Midnight Cruiser, who has run well on both starts so far, both on a softish surface, and the son of Captain Rio has conditions to suit again.
Courageous (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Took keen hold towards rear ridden over 2f out, no headway and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 7l behind Cry of Freedom (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gs in Aug.
Midnight Cruiser (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gs in Aug beating Kouloura (8-12) by 2l, 15 ran.
Chief Red Cloud (USA) 2-1fav (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10l behind Suruor (9-3) at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Jul.
Crackdown (IRE) 8-15fav (8-12) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, last of 3, 2 1/2l behind Canwinn (8-12) at Nottingham 1m nov med aut stk (5) sft in Aug.
Bigalo's Star (IRE) Xaar gelding, half-brother to 1m1f-1m3f winner Mac Reef and stayer Alani.
Secrecy King's Best gelding, half-brother to winning bumper Wave.
Yorksters Girl (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 10l behind Rainbow View (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
