mid-division, ridden 3f out, some headway and soon beaten
in touch, joined leaders 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra
in touch, ridden 2f out, beaten when hampered over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
with leader, ridden and weakened from over 1f out
led, headed after 2f, stayed prominent until weakened 3f out
towards rear, ridden 4f out, switched left 3f out and stayed on
towards rear, ridden 4f out, headway when edged left 2f out, stayed on well but not reach winner
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
led after 2f, ridden approaching final furlong, challenged and kept on well
in rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway and soon one pace
mid-division, ridden and headway to join leaders 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, headway on outside 5f out to join leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong
mid-division, effort and headway 2f out, every chance final furlong, faded
mid-division, headway on outside 5f out, hung left 2f out and weakened quickly
Jalldee is to be respected on his first start in a handicap following his debut success in a Redcar maiden earlier this month but is far from certain to handle the cut in the ground and preference is for Cool Hunter, who gets the vote ahead of Gringo. The last mentioned ran well over course and distance last time when chasing home Fantorini and has claims on that evidence but has gone up 1lb since then. Torrid Kentavr is holding his form well at the age of eight and cannot be ruled under ground conditions that suit, while Skylarker has been given a chance by the handicapper. Higher State is unexposed for a four-year-old and is only 2lbs higher than when scoring at Beverley last time. The consistent Top Spec and Alan King's lightly raced Pine Cone are others worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Cool Hunter, who won with plenty in hand in a similar contest over course and distance last time and is taken to follow up off today's 7lb higher mark.
Cool Hunter 13-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right and led well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Aug beating Hawridge Star (9-2) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Skylarker (USA) 20-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, led just over 2f out, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Pagan Sky (9-1) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Higher State 20-1 (9-13) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Aug beating Tight Squeeze (9-3) by a nk, 10 ran.
Top Spec (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Held up, headway over 1f out, soon wandered under pressure, stayed on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Pagan Sword (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (4) gf.
Torrid Kentavr (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Held up and behind, driven and headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 10, 4l behind Sporting Gesture (9-4) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (4) gf.
Jalldee (FR) 5-2 (9-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden 2f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on well, won at Redcar 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gf beating Jack The Giant (9-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Pine Cone (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Zayn Zen (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Gringo 2-1fav (9-5) In touch, headway approaching 2f out, kept on to chase winner near finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Fantorini (9-4) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
