prominent in chasing group, went 2nd over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, chased winner after, kept on
last pair, never involved
off the pace towards rear on inside, steady headway 3f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up off the pace in mid-division, headway on outside under pressure 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
always behind, tailed off and eased final 3f
prominent in chasing group, closer 4f out, led approaching final furlong, driven out
soon off the pace in mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
always towards rear
chased leader who went clear 8f out, closer 4f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened quickly
prominent in chasing group, closer 4f out, edged left over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led at strong pace and went clear 8f out until 4f out, ridden 2f out headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, eased
switched left start, held up towards rear not clearest of runs over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten
towards rear, headway and squeezed through over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
switched left start, held up in last pair, ridden and beaten over 2f out
A competitive-looking finale featuring several recent winners but we like the progressive profile of Tom Dascombe’s maiden ROCK FORCE (NAP), who was doing his best work at the finish when stepped up to this trip at York. Exec Chef, Zzoro and Gododdin are among those recent winners with the former preferred as he may have more to offer over this extra quarter-mile. Infanta Isabella beat New Agenda at Leicester in May but hasn’t run since and returns following wind surgery. Medieval probably retains the ability to run well in this grade and Rossa Ryan’s claim will help. Western Duke and Bombastic are others with place claims but Armed probably needs to drop a few pounds.
Medieval (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, under pressure over 2f out, faded final furlong, 7th of 15, 3 1/4l behind War Glory (9-10) at Kempton 1m hcp (2) pol in Sep.
Western Duke (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Rainbow Rebel (10-2) at Chester 1m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Master Carpenter (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 18 1/2l behind Dubai Horizon (9-10) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Dream Machine (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Close up, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Dark Pearl (9-10) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Exceeding Power 33-1 (9-8) Held up, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Kasperenko (10-2) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (3) pol in Aug.
Exec Chef (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Well in touch, headway tracking leaders going well over 2f out, 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newbury 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Enigmatic (9-13) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Zzoro (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Tracked clear leader, closed 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Epsom 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Aug beating Bid Adieu (9-10) by 1l, 7 ran.
Infanta Isabella 14-1 (9-2) Raced wide close up, headway to chase leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in May beating Tomahawk Kid (9-9) by 2l, 8 ran.
New Agenda 16-1 (9-1) Led 1f, prominent, every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Villette (8-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Rock Force (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Dwelt in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner towards finish, 2nd of 19, 1 3/4l behind Francis Xavier (9-4) at York 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Bombastic (IRE) 3-1 (9-9) Led briefly after start, led again 7f out, clear over 5f out until over 3f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Sir Plato (9-8) at Ffos Las 1m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Armed (IRE) 7-4 (9-2) Led and set steady pace, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, hung left and weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Plait (8-11) at Ffos Las 1m stks (5) gs in Aug.
Starcaster 3-1jfav (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Podemos (9-5) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Champs De Reves 10-1 (9-0) Keen close up, taken back towards rear after 2f, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Gododdin 2-1fav (9-4) In touch, lost place over 4f out, pushed along and headway over 1f out, edged left ridden and led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Sep beating Geetanjali (9-1) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Metatrons Cube (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 7 1/2l behind Thunderbolt Rocks (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
