made all, led, ridden and quickened clear 2f out, eased final furlong very easily
tracked winner, 2nd over 3f out, gradually weakened, tailed off final 3f
took keen hold in rear, ridden and some headway over 3f out, never troubled leaders
held up ridden over 3f out, weakened from 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders to halfway, weakened over 3f out, soon eased, tailed off
behind, headway over 3f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not troubled leading pair
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off
towards rear, never near leaders and well behind final 3f
prominent, chased winner 3f out, soon ridden and weakened from 2f out
in touch, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden to chase winner 3f out, no chance with winner final 2f
behind, chased leaders under pressure over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
Nonrunner
Fair Along is used to carrying big weights and can defy a penalty here, with Linden Lime, Montage and Rehearsed seen as the main dangers. Fair Along is better known as a tough-front-running hurdler these days, and had a very successful time of it over timber last year at the likes of Cheltenham and Aintree. He is rated nowhere near as high on the Flat, but showed that he has what it takes when making all over the course-and-distance eight days ago. A penalty is not going to bother him, and he should pick up another race before his attentions are switched back to his true vocation this winter. Linden Lime is blessed with stamina as well, and gained her second career success at Haydock a fortnight ago. She will have to improve again to trouble the selection though and looks booked for second at best. Montage is only moderate but has won over this trip in the past, while Rehearsed is slightly better off at the weights with Fair Along, but not enough in our eyes to stop the Hobbs runner from following up.
Fair Along (GER) 7-1 (9-9) Made all, quickened 5f out, shaken up over 2f out, soon clear, easily, won at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Shore Thing (9-2) by 5l, 12 ran.
Linden Lime 11-2 (8-7) Held up, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden, eased when clear inside final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Red Forest (8-5) by 2l, 9 ran.
Montage (IRE) 11-4fav (8-0) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened from 2f out, 6th of 12, 5l behind High Point (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Ritsi 15-2 (8-7) Chased winner after 1f, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Liberate (8-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Mustang Ali (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) In touch, went 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, soon hung right, driven clear final furlong, won at Folkestone 2m hcp (6) gf in Jul beating Lysander's Quest (8-8) by 5l, 13 ran.
Grey Paint (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Chased leader, ridden and effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 12, 14l behind Fair Along (9-9) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Rehearsed (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Held up last, headway over 4f out, every chance 2f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Fair Along (9-9) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Carlton Scroop (FR) 11-2 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway and edged left over 2f out, challenging when badly hampered by winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Dance A Daydream (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jun.
