held up, headway to track leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead post
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, caught post
slowly into stride, in rear, headway to go in touch over 3f out, outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong
DRILL SERGEANT was not stopping at Beverley last time out and can defy a 6lb rise to land this decent handicap, with Filios and Swinging Sixties likely to go close. The selection races over his optimum trip and on ground that he handles very well. He takes on older horses here, having won a valuable handicap on the Westwood against his own age group last time, but he is a typical Mark Johnston-trained battler who can make all and repel all comers. If there is one to lower his colours then it could be Filios. Saeed Bin Suroor's four-year-old will want every yard of this trip and handles some cut. He will be straight enough after a decent run a month ago and there is slight concern that the selection might set the race up for him. Swinging Sixties was found out in a tougher contest last time but he goes well over 10f and being by Singspiel there is every reason to believe he will enjoy getting his toe in. Wasan handles the ground and is worth another try at the trip, while it will need to be a searching pace if Allied Powers' undoubted reserves of stamina are to be brought fully into play. Secret Dancer looks open to plenty of improvement back over this trip and with Jamie Spencer up, on going he should enjoy, and he may ultimately prove the biggest danger to Drill Sergeant. (Jonathan Doidge)
Filios (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, switched left approaching 1f out, hard ridden and one pace, 4th of 10, 4l behind Strategic Mount (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug.
Drill Sergeant 11-4fav (9-7) Made all, ridden 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Aug beating Albaqaa (8-8) by 2l, 9 ran.
Feared In Flight (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Mid-division until weakened over 2f out, last of 16, 27l behind Jedediah (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jul.
Bolodenka (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 16, 6l behind Osteopathic Remedy (9-4) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug.
Wasan 6-1fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 16, 5l behind Jedediah (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jul.
Swinging Sixties (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 9l behind Love Galore (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Satu (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 5th 2f out, one paced inside final furlong, 7th of 13, more than 7l behind Fiery Lad (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f prm hcp pol in Aug.
Allied Powers (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 3f out, led well over 1f out, soon edged right, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Daraahem (9-6) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Secret Dancer (IRE) 11-4 (9-9) Held up, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 12th of 15, 18l behind Step This Way (8-10) at York 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gd in Jun.
