slowly away, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to press for 2nd close home
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, switched left approaching final furlong, no impression
soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, just held on to 2nd
raced wide prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, headway to chase leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
Prince Alex is upped in class and raised a further 4lb after scoring at Beverley but bids for a hat-trick. Edinburgh Castle is creeping closer to landing his first handicap and went close at Chester last time but Gentleman At Arms came out second-best in a match at Salisbury on his handicap debut, though pushed the winner all the way to the line and is preferred to Union. BRIGHT START has now placed in both outings in maiden company, having found only one too good over today’s trip at Newbury last month, and the Godolphin colt gets the vote to improve further handicapping for the first time.
Edinburgh Castle (IRE) 7-4fav (9-9) Tracked leaders on inside, not clear run on rail until squeezed through entering final furlong, soon 2nd and inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Heart Of Soul (9-10) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Western Duke (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Held up in last pair, headway on outside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Seinesational (9-9) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Union (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 7, 8 1/2l behind Vindicate (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Bright Start (USA) 3-1 (9-5) Raced keenly tracking leaders on outside, challenged 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Coconut (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f mdn stks (4) gs in Aug.
Gentleman At Arms (IRE) 2-1 (9-3) Disputed lead 2f, tracked winner, pushed along 3f out, effort 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, last of 2, 3/4l behind Iron Heart (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp (4) fm in Aug.
Vampish 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not much room over 4f out, lost place over 3f out, 14th of 15, dist behind Dance King (10-12) at Ripon 1m 3f hcp (6) sft in Aug.
Prince Alex 9-4fav (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden and some headway on near rail over 2f out, close up 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Aug beating Manzil (9-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
