held up, headway on outer over 3f out, soon ridden when weakening over 2f out
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up behind leaders, ridden along over 3f out, driven and kept on final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
always rear division
towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, steady headway 5f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden along and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, steady headway over 4f out, one pace final 2f
towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, some late headway, never reached challenging position
in touch, pushed along over 4f out, effort when weakening final furlong
held up behind leaders, headway 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
towards rear, never dangerous
led, headed over 3f out, soon beaten
held up behind leaders, headway 2f out, driven and kept on same pace
prominent, effort over 3f out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden along over 4f out, soon beaten
in touch, led over 3f out, edged left under pressure approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong and no extra close home
always towards rear
towards rear, ridden along and headway over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, ran on final furlong
Minkowski is interesting having missed the Cesarewitch, however he faces some interesting rivals in SOUNDBYTE, Opera Writer and Wells Lyrical with preference for the first-named. With such a feather-weight on his back, John Gallagher's progressive gelding should go well with Chris Catlin booked for the ride. He lost out on his hat-trick bid at Kempton recently but his record on the all-weather is not as good as turf and he got outpaced at a vital stage of the race. The step up to this trip looks sure to suit and a mark of 69 may not be his limit. Opera Writer and Wells Lyrical come here chasing a third win in a row but both have to pull out more off new marks, whilst West With The Wind and Haarth Sovereign have had good seasons without winning. Neve Lieve and Cleaver come here in good form, whilst Cape Tribulation is the least exposed in the race but a mark of 83 for his handicap debut looks high enough. Minkowski has a lot of weight to carry and along with the feeling that this trip may be short of his best, we will return to Soundbyte for the winner.
Minkowski 11-2 (9-9) Steady headway 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 13, 6l behind Ascalon (10-0) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sept.
Mirjan (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place over 3f out, 6th of 8, 12l behind Always Bold (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcap (3) sft in Sept.
Cape Tribulation 7-2 (9-8) Held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, driven, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) sft beating Mubrook (9-3) by a hd, 10 ran.
Cleaver 12-1 (9-10) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, hd behind Taikoo (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Sept.
Mikado 33-1 (9-7) Mid-division, effort over 4f, soon lost place and beaten, 12th of 13, 21l behind Meshtri (8-10) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Sept.
Lets Roll 16-1 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase winner over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Grandad Bill (8-7) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Nemo Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 18l behind Inventor (8-10) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Haarth Sovereign (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Held up, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, hung right under pressure inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Fregate Island (9-12) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 13-2 (10-0) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 11l behind Blimey O'Riley (9-7) at Chester 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sept.
Red Wine 14-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, not much room over 5f out, soon no impression, 11th of 16, 12l behind Wiggy Smith (9-8) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Tritonville Lodge (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, in touch, stayed on from 2f out, no danger, 5th of 16, 6l behind Kokkokila (9-0) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Wells Lyrical (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, led well over 1f out, kept on gamely under pressure final furlong, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (4) gd in Sept beating Gordonsville (9-7) by a nk, 7 ran.
Lough Diver (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Keen close up, ridden and weakened 3f out, last of 6, 46l behind Savarain (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gf.
West With The Wind 4-6fav (9-3) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Mango Lady (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Sleepy Hollow 10-1 (8-10) In touch, chased leading pair over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on near finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Ballochroy (8-12) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Opera Writer (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Held up in touch, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, always doing enough, won at Warwick 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft beating Jenny Soba (8-10) by a nk, 9 ran.
Motarid (USA) 10-1 (9-5) Pushed along to chase leaders, in touch, led over 1f out, headed final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Bollin Greta (8-9) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Neve Lieve (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 4f out, driven over 1f, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (4) gs beating Hendersyde (9-7) by 1l, 8 ran.
Burnt Oak (UAE) 10-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, ridden and headway from 3f out, stayed on to take 3rd over 1f out, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Kokkokila (9-0) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Soundbyte 7-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, driven and headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Falcativ (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
