led far side duo, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch near side, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out
tracked leader near side to over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch near side, under pressure over 2f out, no headway and weakened
held up in touch near side, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out, eased final furlong
held up in rear near side, headway from 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong, nearest finish
started slowly, behind near side, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, no impression on leaders
raced near side, behind, kept on final 2f but never dangerous
prominent near side, ridden to lead just over 1f out, ran on gamely inside final furlong, ridden out
held up near side, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, not reach leaders
tracked leader far side throughout, no chance with near side group well over 1f out
started slowly, always in rear near side, some late headway over 1f out, never dangerous
led near side, hard pressed 2f out, headed just over 1f out, kept on, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders near side, ridden to dispute lead 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up in rear near side, headway to challenge over 1f out, every chance, chased winner inside final furlong but always held
held up in touch near side, no headway and weakened 2f out
always behind near side
in touch, ridden over 2f out, slightly outpaced, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not reach leaders
The vote here goes to High Bray, with his biggest dangers seen as Violet Park, Red Romeo, Malahem, Minority Report and Takhleed. High Bray was impressive when dropped back to today's trip when scoring at Goodwood last time and, even under a six-pound penalty, looks the one they all have to beat. Look Who's Winning and Outer Hebrides were behind him there. However, Violet Park is now eight pounds better off for the neck that she was beaten by the winner and, of course, has to be considered. Red Romeo bounced back to form at Musselburgh last time and remains well-weighted based on his best form. Puya won her maiden well and is open to improvement, but the handicapper has taken no chances. Malahem is entitled to build on his Lingfield win, while Apex is conceivably well-weighted if rediscovering last year's best form, including when winning here over six furlongs. Minority Report comes here in good heart and is respected, and River Of Babylon has been running well from her current mark. Much as he is talented, Guildenstern has become disappointing of late, but Master Robbie pops up in his turn. Takhleed could be interesting because his second to Banjo Patterson when last seen in July is decent form. Finally, a six-pound penalty for a Nottingham win makes life trickier for Pure Imagination and Lodgsdail would need to turn back the clock to score. All of which returns us to the selection, which is High Bray.
Red Romeo 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead over 1f out, drifted left inside final furlong, kept on, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp (4) gf in Sept beating Prince Dayjur (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Puya 13-8fav (8-11) Tracked leader, quickened to lead over 1f out, easily, won at Newbury 7f mdn fll (5) gf in Aug beating Midcap (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Malahem (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Held up centre group, headway from 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, gradually drew clear, pushed out, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept beating She's My Outsider (8-9) by 2l, 15 ran.
Minority Report 10-3fav (9-2) Close up, led centre group over 3f out, hard pressed from over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Sri Diamond (9-2) at Goodwood 1m stk 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.
Pintle 20-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 5l behind Echelon (8-11) at Newmarket 7f lst fll stk (1) gd in Sept.
Violet Park 20-1 (8-11) Towards rear, headway 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, switched left, ran on strongly, just failed, 2nd of 17, nk behind High Bray (8-7) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Logsdail 2-1fav (9-3) In touch, ridden and headway 3f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Coppice (9-1) at Salisbury 1m hcp (5) frm in Sept.
High Bray (GER) 8-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, hard ridden and just held on, won at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept beating Violet Park (8-11) by a nk, 17 ran.
