towards rear, soon chased along, ridden, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
started slowly, always in rear division
mid-division, driven along halfway, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up and switched left soon after start, headway on inner 2f out, led 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
led, ridden, headed 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace furlong
towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, chased along halfway, some late headway, never reached challenging position
mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
prominent, driven along halfway, weakened final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon behind
Machinist made a pleasing return to the track and should go close here, however we will side with Zomerlust, San Antonio, Pinchbeck and Exmoor are three others to consider for place purposes. The key to this event could be last year's Silver Cup at Ayr. Machinist was the winner, with Zomerlust back in fourth. The selection is eight pound better off with that winner and that should be more than enough to reverse the running. Today's rivals Rising Shadow and Johnston's Diamond were behind on that occasion and look held. San Antonio loves it round here and following three promising runs this season he should be spot on for this and will be hard to keep out of the frame. Pinchbeck is back down to a winning mark and has to be respected. Meanwhile Exmoor ran a promising first race of the campaign when chasing home Idle Power at Folkestone. So not a race to get too involved in financially, but Zomerlust does have the form to go close and this one gets the decision.
Gifted Gamble 50-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 20, 7l behind Tax Free (8-9) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Machinist (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Behind, pushed along halfway, headway on wide outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Fantaisiste (8-5) at Kempton 6f hcap (3) pol.
Rising Shadow (IRE) 9-2fav (8-11) Towards rear, headway under presure 2f out, never nearer, 8th of 17, 5l behind Zowington (8-3) at Newbury 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Ice Planet 4-1fav (9-8) Mid-division stand side group, effort halfway, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 28, 6l behind Machinist (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Zomerlust 50-1 (7-12) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 30, 15l behind Blythe Knight (8-10) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) sft in Mar.
Mr Wolf 9-1 (8-13) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra inside, 8th of 17, 3l behind Paris Bell (8-6) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
San Antonio 11-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 5l behind Fortunate Isle (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-95 (3) hvy.
Commando Scott (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Hail The Chief (8-6) at Leicester 7f hcap (4) gs.
Johnston's Diamond (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 11, 19l behind Philharmonic (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcap (2) hvy in Mar.
Pinchbeck 17-2 (9-0) Raced stands side, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 5l behind Idle Power (9-1) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Highland Cascade 33-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 6l behind Jayanjay (8-13) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct.
Exmoor 6-1 (8-10) Raced stands side, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Idle Power (9-1) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Royal Challenge 16-1 (8-9) Raced stands side, held up, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 6l behind Idle Power (9-1) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Fun To Ride 40-1 (8-8) Mid-division, soon chased along, never close enough to challenge, 14th of 18, 14l behind Reverence (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Oct.
Hits Only Jude (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Close up, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 14l behind Go Figure (8-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
