raced wide towards rear, never a factor
held up in rear, some headway towards inside over 1f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, held on
raced wide early, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, lost place over 2f out, weakening when hampered 2f out
held up and behind, switched left to outside 3f out, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, strong challenge close home, just held
took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along and unable to quicken 2f out, soon not much room and shuffled back, not clear run over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, soon mid-division on inside, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, 3rd and challenging 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division on outside, hung right and weakened 2f out
led 2f, led again halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in mid-division on inside, headway 2f out, chasing leaders over 1f out, not much room and squeezed through entering final furlong, ran on into 3rd towards finish, not reach front pair
steadied start, held up towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader, led 5f out until halfway, lost 2nd approaching final 2f, ridden and weakened inside final 2f
towards rear, headway towards outside 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, stayed on under pressure in 3rd inside final furlong, lost 3rd towards finish
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 2f out, soon every chance until ridden over 1f out, no extra inside efinal furlong
mid-division, not much room 2f out, soon switched left, ridden hanging right when not clear run over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well, not reach leaders
held up towards rear, headway and switched left to outside hanging right over 2f out, ridden and hung right from inside final 2f, not much room over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
Big-field handicaps here are generally difficult to unravel, though it's probably better to be drawn near the inside rail unless the ground turns soft. The classy Flash Fire probably has plenty on his plate, therefore, in stall 19 under top weight. Certificate got back to winning ways at Doncaster two weeks ago and should go well again, despite 6lb more. Rex Imperator won the Stewards' Cup here in 2013 but has never won over this trip. Above The Rest looked unlucky last time at Chester, however, while Shady Mccoy arrives in fine form. Northgate Lad also catches the eye near the foot of the weights with Withernsea possibly the pick of Richard Fahey's quartet. DONNCHA is drawn wide but needs holding up so that shouldn't be a problem. He deserves to win a race like this having finished a brave third in the Betfred Mile here last month.
Flash Fire (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased clear leading pair, pushed along halfway, ridden and closed over 2f out, edged left inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Nemoralia (8-6) at York 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Heaven's Guest (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Raced centre, chased leaders, every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 16th of 24, 10 3/4l behind Librisa Breeze (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcp stks (2) gf in Jul.
Certificate 7-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, effort 3f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) gf in Aug beating Bertiewhittle (8-13) by 2l, 14 ran.
Mister Universe 25-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 19th of 20, 20 1/2l behind Firmament (8-13) at York 1m hcp stks (2) gf in Aug.
Rivellino 20-1 (9-1) Raced far side, held up, in mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, finished well, not reach leaders, 6th of 27, 1 3/4l behind Dancing Star (8-12) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Suzi's Connoisseur 33-1 (8-12) Raced far side, held up, towards rear, pushed along when not clearest of runs over 2f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 11th of 27, 4 1/4l behind Dancing Star (8-12) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Intransigent 10-1 (9-8) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong,never on terms, 5th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Breakable (8-13) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Can't Change It (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up and behind, not clear run from 2f out until switched right inside final furlong, no progress and held when eased final 100 yards, 12th of 19, 6 1/2l behind Franklin D (9-1) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Withernsea (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Raced far side, held up, towards rear, pushed along 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 11th of 27, 4 1/4l behind Dancing Star (8-12) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Farlow (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Certificate (9-10) at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Big Time (IRE) 6-4fav (9-13) Made all, driven clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Epsom 7f stks (5) gd in Jul beating Arnold Lane (9-13) by 7l, 5 ran.
Rex Imperator 11-2fav (9-8) Mid-division stands side, driven over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to challenge and every chance inside final furlong, just held, 3rd of 20, 1/4l behind Roudee (9-10) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Majestic Moon (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 11 1/4l behind Early Morning (9-10) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Nuno Tristan (USA) 15-2 (8-9) Mid-division stands side, ridden inside final 2f, kept on under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders, 9th of 20, 5l behind Nameitwhatyoulike (8-13) at Ripon 6f hcp stks (2) gd in Aug.
That Is The Spirit 80-1 (8-12) Led and soon clear, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 20, 7 1/2l behind Firmament (8-13) at York 1m hcp stks (2) gf in Aug.
Above The Rest (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Reared leaving stalls, soon mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, took 3rd post, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Breakable (8-13) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Shady Mccoy (USA) 14-1 (9-6) Held up, in mid-division, headway and switched left to outside over 2f out, chased leaders and edged right over 1f out, hung right and strong run inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Goodwood 7f hcp stks (3) gf in Jul beating Twin Sails (9-7) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Donncha (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside 3f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, went 2nd briefly inside final furlong, one pace in 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 19, 2 1/4l behind Franklin D (9-1) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Northgate Lad (IRE) 3-1fav (9-8) Prominent, led over 2f out, caught post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Barracuda Boy (10-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp (3) pol in Jul.
Sinfonietta (FR) 5-1 (9-9) Soon led, headed over 4f out, led again over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Storm Ahead (8-5) at Salisbury 1m hcp (2) sft in Jun.
