Killena Boy gets the vote over Zarabad, with Skidrow and Imperialistic not to be ruled out entirely. An open looking handicap on paper gives Killena Boy the opportunity to add to his successes earlier in the season. Since gaining back-to-back victories at Beverley and Nottingham in April he has crept up the weights but has gone close on more than one occasion. The ground is now in his favour, and he will be staying on strongly at the finish so is worth chancing. Zarabad is obviously open to improvement, having had just the one run this term, and Stoute's Wolverhampton maiden winner merits respect. Skidrow bounced back from a dismal Pontefract effort by nearly scoring at Haydock and if in the same mood is another to add to the short-list, while Imperialistic is well treated compared to last season and is running back into form. Many in with a shout then, but Killena Boy is the pick.
King's Caprice 14-1 (8-9) Raced far side, in touch, pushed along halfway, soon beaten, 12th of 23, 4l behind Kenmore (8-6) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
Skidrow 125-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 17, hd behind Hinterland (8-13) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gs in Sept.
Grosvenor Square (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Pulled hard, with winner to over 2f out, weakened, 7th of 11, 8l behind Admiral's Cruise (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) sft.
Commando Scott (IRE) 40-1 (8-1) Raced far side, held up, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on, never nearer, 3rd of 23, 2l behind Kenmore (8-6) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
Liakoura (GER) 25-1 (8-3) In touch, hampered over 1f out, never dangerous, 12th of 15, 7l behind Notnowcato (8-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
Overlord Way (GR) 14-1 (9-4) Always behind, 10th of 14, 4l behind Top Mark (8-6) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept.
Yakimov (USA) 25-1 (9-3) Reared at start, always behind, 15th of 22, 13l behind Safsoof (9-0) at Newbury 7f hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Zarabad (IRE) 13-2 (8-6) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 16, 6l behind Rio Riva (8-6) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd.
Apex 66-1 (9-1) Raced near side, behind, kept on final 2f but never dangerous, 10th of 18, 4l behind Minority Report (9-1) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-95 (4) gf.
Killena Boy (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Held up, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Adoration (8-0) at Epsom 1m 1f 3yo hcp (3) gs.
Imperialistic (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Game Lad (9-2) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-60 (4) gd.
Libre 14-1 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Granston (9-9) at Leicester 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Astronomical (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 3f out, every chance under pressure 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 6l behind Sri Diamond (9-2) at Goodwood 1m stk 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.
