mid-division, closer chasing leaders over 3f out, hung right and weakened over 2f out
held up, smooth headway looking for room over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
chased leaders on outside, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
held up and always towards rear, never a factor
held up and behind, good headway on wide outside over 2f out, going well over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, strong challenge close home, just failed
led, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 5f out, ridden and weakened inside final 2f
chased leaders, weakened quickly 3f out, tailed off
chased leader until over 2f out, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
It’s a long time since Carbon Dating got his head in front but he’s a regular here and was second off this mark last time. Corton Lad is also a frequent visitor to this track and a victory at Musselburgh will have been a confidence-booster. A case could be made for Spirit Of Sarwan and Flood Defence wasn’t winning out of turn at Carlisle and looks better treated than stablemate Shrewd. Donnachies Girl gets plenty of weight from her rivals including DEINONYCHUS but Mick Appleby’s gelding has come right back to his best and the recent Nottingham winner does have winning form over this longer trip.
Shrewd 28-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 12 1/4l behind December Second (9-9) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Zabeel Star (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Slowly away, plugged on from over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 10, 9l behind Spiorad (9-10) at Redcar 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Employer (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Towards rear, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, soon one pace, never on terms, weakened inside final furlong, last of 9, 11 1/4l behind Nicholas T (10-0) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Dragon Mountain 25-1 (9-1) Mid-division, in touch 9f out, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 11th of 12, dist behind Overhaugh Street (8-7) at Chester 1m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Auxiliary 13-2 (9-11) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 6, 6 1/4l behind Flood Defence (8-13) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Aug.
Carbon Dating (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 4f out, quick move to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind King And Queen (8-6) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp (5) sft in Jul.
Corton Lad 11-1 (10-10) Disputed lead and well clear of remainder until chased leader over 5f out, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Musselburgh 1m 5f hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Thorntoun Care (10-13) by nk, 9 ran.
Flood Defence (IRE) 10-3 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Aug beating Beechwood Jude (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Spirit Of Sarwan (IRE) 28-1 (9-10) Very slowly away, in rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 16, 8 1/2l behind Royal Shaheen (9-11) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Deinonychus 3-1fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) gs in Aug beating Militry Decoration (9-9) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Donnachies Girl (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 9 1/2l behind Soloist (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp fll (5) pol in Aug.
