went right start, towards rear, struggling halfway, never on terms
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out
rear of midfield, pushed along and headway on outer 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, no extra and lost second towards finish
took keen hold, tracked leaders, headway to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well final furlong, always doing enough
prominent, shaken up to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
midfield, ridden and outpaced 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
held up in last, shaken up and headway over 1f out, ridden and went second inside final furlong, kept on, nearest finish
Despite the small field, this is a competitive handicap. Baryshnikov knows where the winning post is here and has slipped to a very fair mark. First Impression has been in good form around Chester since returning from a break but Lightening Company is still 4lb higher than when scoring over track and trip in April while Theoryofeverything still has stamina to prove. AULD TOON LOON (NAP) was repeatedly denied a run when made favourite at Ayr last week and may still be on a fair mark despite being 6lb higher than for his last success. He’s preferred to the three-year-olds Chriszoff, tried in cheekpieces today, and King Lear who shoulders top weight on his handicap debut.
King Lear (IRE) 4-6fav (9-11) Led early, tracked leader, led again entering final 2f, ridden and headed inside final furlong, soon edged left, rallied close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Believe In Stars (10-3) at Goodwood 1m 2f stks (4) gd in Sep.
First Impression (IRE) 4-1fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Box To Box (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Theoryofeverything 16-1 (8-12) Wore hood to post, held up off the pace towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway edging right over 1f out, soon switched left, never involved, 8th of 15, 12 1/2l behind Royal Rhyme (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Chriszoff (IRE) 5-6fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, pressed entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Paddy The Squire (9-1) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Auld Toon Loon (IRE) 10-3fav (9-4) Raced keenly in mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, hung left and outpaced when ran out of room inside final furlong, eased, 7th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Thundering (9-0) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Lightening Company (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Slowly away, in rear, pushed along 4f out, headway 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, no impression final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind La Yakel (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Baryshnikov 5-1 (9-6) In touch towards rear, pushed along 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Box To Box (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
