held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken close home
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
always towards rear
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened
slowly away in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
towards rear, ridden 2f out, ran on, nearest finish
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on
slowly into stride keen soon close up, hung right to stands side rail over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden and weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer
Nonrunner
Both Imperial State and Red Paladin failed off today’s marks in their respective bids for a hat-trick and the handicapper may have caught up now. It remains to be seen how Irish Optimism copes with a 5lb rise for a narrow-margin success at Pontefract while Sky Ship was eased down once his chance had gone at Windsor earlier in the week having gone close at Kempton before that. North Creek is now 12lb higher than when landing a double early in the year so the vote goes to COMPANY ASSET (NAP), who has yet to win a handicap but was not beaten far when fifth in a Class 2 contest at Ascot last month.
Briardale (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) Raced centre, held up, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 12th of 20, 11 1/4l behind Mithqaal (8-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Mont Ras (IRE) 17-2 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, lost place 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 21 1/4l behind Ginger Jack (9-11) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Hard To Handel 25-1 (9-7) Raced centre, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 9th of 20, 9l behind Mithqaal (8-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Imperial State 5-2fav (9-12) Raced near side, never on terms, 10th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Shamaheart (10-0) at Redcar 7f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Red Paladin (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 10th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Gothic Empire (9-7) at Ascot 7f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Alexandrakollontai (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Always behind, last of 12, 23 1/2l behind Lincoln Rocks (9-3) at Musselburgh 1m hcp fll (3) gd in Sep.
Argaki (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden over 2f out, faded entering final furlong, 10th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Silvery Moon (9-9) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Sky Ship 7-2 (9-2) Held up, in rear, hung left and no headway final 2f, 11th of 13, 21 1/2l behind Tiercel (9-2) at Windsor 1m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Hulcolt (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Prominent, not much room after 1f, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 13 3/4l behind Irish Optimism (8-13) at Pontefract 1m hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Ellaal 22-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, weakened over 3f out, last of 11, 36 1/2l behind Rainbow Rebel (9-6) at Hamilton 1m hcp (4) hvy in Sep.
Freewheel (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led well over 2f out, soon headed, rallied over 1f out, faded final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5 3/4l behind Hibou (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
North Creek 7-2jfav (9-6) Held up in mid-division, ridden and hung right 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd final 125 yards and closed, just held, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Mukaabra (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Company Asset (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Held up, in last pair, driven and headway on outside 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression with leaders inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Miss Carbonia (8-7) at Ascot 1m hcp fll (2) gd in Sep.
Irish Optimism (IRE) 5-4fav (8-13) Chased leaders, closed 2f out, raced a little awkwardly but picked up well to lead over 1f out, driven and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Pontefract 1m hcp (4) gf in Sep beating Kiwi Bay (9-4) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
