mid-division, ridden inside final 2f, never pace to challenge, gradually weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, switched outside and headway inside final 2f, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, went 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, not reach front pair
tracked leaders on inside, switched right 3f out, soon pressed leader, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, no impression in 4th inside final furlong
tracked leader, lost place when ridden inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
behind, driven and outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, never a threat
led, ridden over 2f out, edged right, hard pressed inside final furlong, rallied gamely when narrowly headed inside final 100 yards, just held
mid-division, driven over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, weakened final furlong
held up behind, smooth headway over 2f out, went 2nd going well over 1f out, shaken up to challenge inside final furlong, led narrowly inside final 100 yards, ridden out, just held on
tracked leaders on outside, outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place and ridden, no impression from over 1f out
NonRunner
Mitchum Swagger hasn't been seen since finishing third in the Lincoln in March on soft ground. That was his debut for Ralph Beckett so there should be more to come and a long absence didn't seem an inconvenience at Doncaster. Escobar won a Class 3 handicap here in June though that was on fast going and he's 7lb higher. M C Muldoon had little chance in the Voltiguer but made a successful debut on soft ground and this is more like his grade. Aquarium completed a double in July and has been running very well in better handicaps subsequently including when just failing to get up at Newmarket last week. The more rain the better for Borderforce, a regular winner on testing ground in France and of a strong Ripon handicap for new connections. JUST HISS was narrowly beaten in that latter contest and has much the better of the weights. He's since run with credit on heavy going at Carlisle and looks well enough treated to make his light weight count.
Mitchum Swagger 12-1 (9-8) Mid-division far side, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final, always well held, lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 20, 3l behind Addeybb (9-2) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Escobar (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Held up, soon towards rear, headway straight, kept on without threatening final furlong, 11th of 17, 4 1/4l behind Zap (8-12) at Leopardstown 7f hcp gf in Sep.
Yuften 8-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 5 1/2l behind Donjuan Triumphant (9-1) at Haydock 7f stks (3) gs in Sep.
M C Muldoon (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, never able to challenge, weakened final 2f, last of 9, 19 1/2l behind Old Persian (9-3) at York 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Borderforce (FR) 13-2 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Waarif (9-6) at Ayr 1m hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Gurkha Friend 8-1 (9-1) Taken to post early, tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, edged right and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Silver Quartz (9-1) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Al Erayg (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Von Blucher (8-8) at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Alemaratalyoum (IRE) 5-1jfav (8-12) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, led final furlong, headed inside last 150 yards, no extra, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Hajjam (9-2) at Ayr 7f hcp (3) hvy in Sep.
Just Hiss 7-2fav (9-4) Chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind London Protocol (9-1) at Carlisle 1m hcp (3) hvy in Sep.
Aquarium 16-1 (8-13) Pulled hard towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, went 3rd and stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leading pair, 3rd of 11, nk behind Buzz (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
