in touch, pushed along and lost place over 4f out, soon ridden and stayed on one pace final 2f
mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden and effort, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, headway and effort over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, one pace when not much room over 2f out
held up, headway 5f out, effort over 2f out, stayed to chase winner over 1f out, held towards finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 2f
slowly into stride, always behind
slowly into stride, always behind
made all, ridden 2f out, stayed on strongly
Mephisto can keep up Luca Cumani's recent run, with No Refuge, Collier Hill, Sun Bird, Mystic Mile and Hasanpour all capable on their day. This looks a fair staying contest and one in which the lightly-raced Mephisto can continue on an upward curve. Unraced until this season, the son of Machiavellian made a pleasing debut behind Trust Rule, and having made the running before being passed by the ill-fated Hawk Flyer at Doncaster, overcame a none too smooth passage to open his account at Pontefract, the step up in trip helping enormously. That was in July, and he now returns fresh from a break for his first venture into handicap company. He does not look overburdened and should go close under Darryl Holland. No Refuge has been a model of consistency and looks a banker for the frame, while Collier Hill is a classy sort, having landed Haydock's Old Newton Cup earlier in the season. He has winning form here as well and will be a popular choice. Sun Bird was a gallant second in the Ebor but was ridden with too much restraint next time at Chester. If he cracks out early, another bold show is on the cards, while Hasanpour will appreciate the longer journey after being left in Leporello's slipstream at Newmarket. It is a marvellous race to start the week off, and one in which Mephisto can prevail to continue to make up for lost time.
