held up in touch, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always behind
held up mid-division, headway under pressure over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
slowly into stride, always behind
led 2f, remained prominent, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, riddent over 3f out, soon beaten
slowly away, mid-division, never on terms
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, held up, never dangerous
held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, never on terms
led after 2f, headed over 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
always behind
held up, never dangerous
An ultra-competitive handicap to finish with and narrow preference is for the consistent Prime Number ahead of recent winners Rawdon and Lobengula. John Akehurst has two in the race and whilst it would be folly to rule out Blu Manruna after just one poor recent run, however Prime Number looks his best hope. One of the most consistent runners in the race, this ex-Gerard Butler inmate will never go on to fulfill the promise shown as a juvenile, however he has been running well and should again go close. Lobengula has penalty for a facile win at Beverley for today's jockey; past evidence suggest that he needs to improve again. Fabrian is out of form but still needs a look as a course and distance winner, whilst Sol Rojo could bounce back to form and would therefore have a good chance. Barbirolli and Ile Michel are two more for consideration, however it may be Snark who is a more eminent danger. Philip Makin's charge is very consistent and still on a fair enough mark, he should once again run his race. A tough finale, and narrow preference is for Prime Number.
King's Majesty (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Saddle slipped soon after start, made most until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 10l behind Kalasam (9-0) at Leicester 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Snark (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, led 3f out, soon ridden, hung right and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Kingscape (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sept.
Rawdon (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Chased leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, hard ridden and took narrow lead inside final furlong, just held on, won at Haydock 1m 3f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Sept beating Mulaazem (10-12) by a hd, 9 ran.
Fabrian 15-8jt-fav (9-6) Led 1f, chased leader, ridden 3f out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Castara Bay (9-1) at Leicester 1m 2f mdn clm (5) gf in Sept.
Prime Number (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Kalasam (9-0) at Leicester 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Sol Rojo 8-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on, 6th of 9, 4l behind Rawdon (10-11) at Haydock 1m 3f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Sept.
Lobengula (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) Made all, ridden along and edged left over 2f out, kept on final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f amt hcp (6) gd in Sept beating Harry The Hawk (11-2) by 2l, 14 ran.
Mulaazem 15-2 (10-12) Led and set steady pace, ridden and under pressure 2f out, headed narrowly and hard ridden inside last, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Rawdon (10-11) at Haydock 1m 3f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Sept.
Barbirolli 4-1fav (8-4) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, ridden and kept on final 2f, no impression, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Neil's Legacy (8-5) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcap (3) gs in Sept.
Lincolneurocruiser 8-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, lost place and hampered halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Border Artist (8-13) at Yarmouth 7f hcap (6) gd in Sept.
Ile Michel 6-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Little Carmela (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sept.
Blu Manruna 15-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, tracked leader after 1f, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 18l behind Harry Tricker (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcap (5) gf in Sept.
Surdoue 7-1 (9-3) Led, headed 4f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 9l behind Weet Yer Tern (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Sept.
Sea Frolic (IRE) 100-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 8l behind Esoterica (9-0) at Redcar 7f app hcp (5) gf in Sept.
New Diamond 100-1 (8-11) Ridden over 3f out, always in rear, 10th of 13, 16l behind Weet Yer Tern (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Sept.
Little Red Roaster (USA) 14-1 (8-12) In rear, headway on outer over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 10, 8l behind Red Blooded Woman (8-12) at Chester 1m mdn fll (5) gf in Aug.
