led, headed over 5f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
started slowly, soon mid-division, steady headway 10f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
took keen hold, mid-division, headway on bit over 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, edged left over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
steadied start, took keen hold, always towards rear
reared start, held up, effort 4f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace
The roof would probably come off the grandstand if Gold Medallist was to win in the Persian Punch colours of Jeff Smith but David Elsworth's gelding needs to improve to beat Dancing Bay, who is preferred to Doncaster Cup dead-heaters Millenary and Kasthari. The last mentioned sprung a huge surprise at Town Moor and has to be respected, as he remains unexposed on the flat. Howard Johnson's gelding makes more appeal than Millenary, who would probably prefer a faster surface to show his best form. James Fanshawe's Pole Star faces no easy task on his return to action after more than a year off and of more interest would be the John Oxx-trained Mkuzi, who not only represents shrewd connections but has shown improved form for every step up in distance. Sir Michael Stoute's First Charter has claims but a 5lb penalty for his win in York's Lonsdale Cup may just anchor the five-year-old and preference is for Dancing Bay, who is taken to reverse York form on the revised terms. The ground has come fight for Nicky Henderson's gelding, who is taken to give the soon to retire Willie Ryan a memorable winner on Champions Day.
