slowly away, always behind
soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on nearest finish
prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, rallied and led again 1f out, ran on well
prominent, lost place halfway, eased over 2f out
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
in touch, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, some late headway, never on terms
held up mid-division, headway halfway, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, under pressure halfway, soon weakened
mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon weakened
with leaders, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
This is typically low grade competitive handicap for this track where we'll take last time out winner LYRIC ART to get the better of course winners Keskianto and Byron Bay. Up just a pound for a narrow success last time the pick still looks well treated on his return to a surface that he has shown he acts on. His last run here came in February when he was about five lengths behind dual winner Eastern Aria and that's a form line that reads well in the context of this race. Keshianto looks competitive in the weights now after some solid at best efforts in slightly better races recently. She won a seller here early in her career so we know the surface holds little mysteries for this filly. Byron Bay has won three times over course and distance, the latest in June when seven pounds lighter. He seems to have found a bit more form in recent starts and he remains on the shortlist. Fitz scored in a similar race at Lingfield last time and seemed to handle this track on his sole previous effort but the three pounds extra on his back looks prohibitive leading us to suggest Lyric Art as the alternative.
Dado Mush 50-1 (9-2) Prominent, raced keenly, lost place over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 11l behind Hits Only Cash (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Byron Bay 10-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 9l behind Wiseman's Diamond (9-8) at Newcastle 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Prince Golan (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Behind, never on terms, 8th of 12, 11l behind Ninth House (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Business Class (BRZ) 16-1 (9-6) Led 3f, chased leader, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, kept on same pace final furlong, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Great Art (9-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf.
Kheskianto (IRE) 16-1 (7-12) Keen in touch, headway to chase winner over 2f out until inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Edgeworth (9-1) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Coole Dodger (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway and switched right to inside over 2f out, not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, kept on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Wiseman's Diamond (10-7) at Beverley 1m am hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Boss Hog 16-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 4th towards finish, never nearer, 4th of 13, 6l behind Why Nee Amy (8-5) at Beverley 1m app stks (6) gf.
Lyric Art (USA) 12-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, hard ridden to lead near line, won at Catterick 7f mdn stks 0-60 (6) sft beating Steel Stockholder (8-8) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Tar (IRE) 66-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Astrolibra (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f app hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Aug.
Fitz 10-3fav (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway to chase leader 2f out, driven to lead 1f out, stayed on, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol beating Ymir (8-12) by nk, 14 ran.
Lennie Briscoe (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 13, 5l behind Seasonal Cross (9-7) at Bath 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fm.
Michael Collins (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division best, weakened from 3f out, 11th of 13, 32l behind Ufallya (8-12) at Galway 1m 3yo hcp 50-70 hvy in Aug.
Versaki (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Steadied start, raced stand side, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Equipe De Nuit (8-8) at Leicester 7f 3yo sll (6) gf.
Clearing House 66-1 (9-2) Steadied start, soon switched right, always towards rear, 10th of 13, 12l behind Tamasou (9-8) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
