held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, no impression
led early, tracked leader, led again 1f out, all out
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
soon led, headed 1f out, kept on
slowly into stride, held up in rear, never dangerous
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
led, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon hampered, stayed on towards finish
Nonrunner
MERCHANT OF DUBAI, Trip The Light and Scamperdale are the trio for the shortlist here and the vote goes to Merchant Of Dubai. Alan Swinbank has his string in good form at present and this 4-year-old was a winner on his only previous run on the all-weather. This is much easier than the race he contested at Doncaster earlier in the month and he stands out here as the class act. Trip The Light went close at Southwell last month and he should be suited by this drop in trip. He still looks to be on a fair mark and he merits plenty of respect. Scamperdale has been off the racecourse since July but he did win his last race at Kempton and all his nine wins have come on the Polytrack. Brian Ellison has been firing in plenty of winners and Tilt does have the ability to make his mark in this race, but he is in the last chance saloon here as he has refused to race on his last two starts. Robby Bobby and Laterly also have each-way claims, but Merchant Of Dubai holds solid prospects and he gets our vote.
Fairmile 25-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden 3f out, kept on, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 6l behind Stand Guard (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Merchant Of Dubai 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 23, 10l behind Charm School (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft.
Broomielaw 20-1 (8-9) Held up, weakened and eased over 2f out, 21st of 23, 43l behind Charm School (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft.
Laterly (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Awkward loading stalls, led at good pace, narrowly headed 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 9th of 20, 7l behind Almiqdaad (8-12) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in Sep.
Tilt 50-1 (8-2) Refused to race, in a race won by Charm School (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft, 23 ran.
Paktolos (FR) 12-1 (9-3) Always in rear, pushed along 6f out, struggling 3f out, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 9, 50l behind Run For Ede's (8-6) at Ascot 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gd in Jul.
Scamperdale 28-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, cruised up on bit on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon edged right and quickened clear, very easily, won at Kempton 1m 3f app hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul beating Balnagore (9-1) by 4l, 10 ran.
Trip The Light 5-2 (9-8) Close up in 4th, chased winner over 5f out, ridden 2f out, soon no impression, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Lucky Punt (8-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Oct.
Dance The Star (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 11, 13l behind Becausewecan (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gd in Oct.
Robby Bobby 6-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, challenging from 8f out, led narrowly 7f out, kept advantage until ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 10, 12l behind Distinctive Image (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) fbs in Aug.
