raced wide early, led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader until 6f out, weakened 3f out, tailed off
close up, tracked leaders 5f out, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
close up, pushed along and outpaced over 4f out, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms
keen held in towards rear, headway 6f out, led over 2f out, ridden and ran on
Blue Laureate's stamina really kicked in over 2m at Ffos Las where he had a ton in hand so coming here with a penalty looks the correct option. Graceful Lady is 6-26 on Turf and could hardly have won any more easily than here last month, though a 7lb rise just prevented a follow up at Chepstow. Charles Kingsley has made great strides and is now well up to this standard as he showed at Haydock last time after a victory over 1m6f here in July. The three-year-old LAND OF OZ has gradually stepped up in class and is on a 27lb higher mark then when starting the campaign. He has a smart pedigree, however, and probably hasn't finished progressing yet so gets the nod. Smart Champion ran well after a long break at Goodwood and looks a nice staying prospect.
Charles Kingsley 11-4 (9-11) Held up, not clear run 2f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, soon ridden, went 2nd inside final furlong, not quicken close home, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Sleeping Lion (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Aircraft Carrier (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 3 3/4l behind Saroog (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Blue Laureate 15-2 (10-4) Held up and behind, niggled along over 7f out, pushed along and headway over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged left to inside rail and clear, eased well inside final furlong, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Nuits St Georges (10-0) by 7l, 7 ran.
Smart Champion 20-1 (9-2) Held up in close 5th, going for run on inside when not clear over 2f out, slightly hampered and lost momentum 2f out, soon switched left, stayed on towards finish, no chance to challenge, 4th of 6, 5l behind Themaxwecan (9-5) at Goodwood 2m hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Graceful Lady 7-2 (9-3) Chased winner until ridden over 2f out, rallied final furlong, stayed on under pressure, 2nd of 3, nk behind Charlie D (9-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Champagne Champ 6-4fav (9-7) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Orin Swift (9-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Jumping Cats 11-2 (9-6) In rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 8, 9 3/4l behind Champarisi (9-5) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Land Of Oz 2-5fav (9-3) Steadied start, held up in 4th, closer in 3rd 5f out, pushed along over 3f out, headway on outside 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, led inside final 150 yards, idled in front, always doing enough, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) pol in Sep beating Cristal Spirit (9-1) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
