close up, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
led 1f, prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead again approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
prominent, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
in touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
towards rear, pushed along 2f out, never near leaders
dwelt in touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, nearest finish
towards rear, ridden and headway when edged right over 1f out, ran on, not reach winner
always in rear
in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and kept on same pace
keen, led after 1f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened
reared and slowly away, in touch after 1f, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
close up, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
City Of York has been raised 7lb after completing a hat-trick with a victory on heavy ground at Newbury. He beat subsequent Ascot winner Metal Merchant on that occasion but DASHING ROGER is just preferred. The latter relished the testing conditions at Nottingham when ending a long losing run and remains on a winning mark despite a hike in the weights. Prince of Zenda won a novices race at Chester while Goodwood scorer Alpha Crucis is preferred to other recent winners Spirit Genie, Magic Memories, King's Code and Talis Evolvere with the latter making his handicap debut.
Metal Merchant (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, good headway near side rail over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, strong challenge throughout final furlong, led post, won at Ascot 1m stks (3) gd in Oct beating Jeff Koons (9-4) by ns, 8 ran.
One Night Thunder 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leader until pushed along over 2f out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 8 1/4l behind Sea The Casper (10-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Jun.
Dashing Roger 7-2fav (9-13) Led, a length ahead 3f out, soon ridden, 2 lengths clear 2f out, extended advantage approaching final furlong, stayed on well inside final furlong, pushed out near finish, easily, won at Nottingham 1m hcp (4) hvy in Oct beating In The Trenches (9-7) by 5 1/2l, 10 ran.
Raising Sand 18-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, moderate headway over 1f out, never involved, 5th of 8, 11l behind Metal Merchant (9-4) at Ascot 1m stks (3) gd in Oct.
Talis Evolvere (IRE) 10-3 (9-7) Handy, pushed along 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden and asserted, pushed out final 100 yards, comfortably, won at Pontefract 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Sep beating Hosanna Power (9-7) by 4 1/4l, 8 ran.
Carolus Magnus (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway over 1f out, unable to make any impression on leaders, 6th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Certain Lad (9-10) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Alpha Crucis (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Held up well off the pace in last trio, headway near side of group when not clearest of runs and switched left inside final 2f, soon chasing leaders, strong run between horses inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 110 yards, soon clear, won at Goodwood 1m hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Lunatick (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Spirit Genie (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Close up, led going best over 2f out, clear approaching final furlong, comfortable, won at Leicester 7f stks (4) sft in Oct beating Khathak (9-2) by 8 1/2l, 8 ran.
King's Code 10-1 (9-4) Towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Deceiver (9-4) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
City Of York 5-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway on outside final furlong, ran on to lead final 100 yards, comfortably, won at Newbury 1m hcp (4) hvy in Sep beating Metal Merchant (9-11) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Prince of Zenda 6-5 (9-7) Made all, ridden 2f out where 2 lengths clear, soon asserted, 7 lengths clear approaching final furlong, went further clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Chester 1m stks (3) sft in Sep beating Britannica (9-2) by 12l, 4 ran.
Magic Memories (IRE) 11-4fav (9-11) Slowly away, mid-division, headway from 2f out, challenged inside final furlong, stayed on, led close home, won at Brighton 1m hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Optiva Star (9-7) by hd, 7 ran.
Achillea 14-1 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, headway 1f out, not much room well inside final furlong, no impression, 9th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Yeoman (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Dream Pirate 6-4fav (9-12) Steadied start, held up off the pace towards rear, good headway near side rail from 2f out, led inside final 2f, soon ridden and stayed on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Forward Flight (9-12) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
