held up in mid-division, headway 3f out, taken to far rail, close up over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to press for 3rd near finish, never nearer
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on to take 3rd just inside final furlong
soon led, ridden, headed 2f out, no chance with winner when hung left final furlong
held up, weakened over 3f out
always towards rear
took keen hold tracking leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, headway in centre to lead 2f out, soon in command, hung left final furlong
Nonrunner
Piper's Song can have the measure of Asaateel, Veiled Applause and Stevedore in the finale. Piper's Song did not see the racecourse until June, and came good at the fourth time of asking on his handicap debut at Sandown three weeks ago. That was over seven furlongs, but the manner of his victory suggests that Henry Candy's gelding will relish the step back up to a mile, and he still looks attractively weighted. Veiled Applause should be forgiven his defeat at Chepstow, as he had to race alone for most of the way. He should get plenty of cover from stall 10 and should be in the shake-up. Asaateel showed that his turn was near when just touched off in an amateur riders' affair at Newmarket in May, and Gary Moore's four-year-old duly went one better at Brighton next time, despite a tendency to swish his tail under pressure. He has been given a break since, so lines up a fresh horse, and with ground conditions to suit, should run well. Stevedore was in great form at the end of last season but only returned to the fray last month and appears to have his fair share of weight, unlike Piper's Song who can stay a step ahead of the handicapper here.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 15-2 (9-6) Tracked winner, ridden and effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Benandonner (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
Stevedore (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leader to over 2f out, chased leading pair until weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Landucci (9-0) at Kempton 1m app hcp (4) pol in Sept.
Inwaan (IRE) (8-9) 8th of 11, 3l behind Lemon Yellow (8-6) at Deauville 6f 3yo hcp in Jul.
Robinzal 20-1 (8-9) Held up behind leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft beating Art Elegant (8-7) by 2l, 17 ran.
Asaateel (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-1) Prominent, challenged on inside 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, driven, flashed tail under pressure final furlong, kept on, won at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May beating Christmas Truce (8-13) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Piper's Song (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, all out finish, won at Sandown 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept beating Million Percent (8-9) by a nk, 14 ran.
Farewell Gift 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 8l behind Personify (9-4) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sept.
Veiled Applause 9-4fav (9-7) Prominent and raced alone on stand side, ridden and hung left approaching 2f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Lockstock (9-0) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sept.
