with leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, led 2f out, driven out
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led and raced keen, headed 2f out, soon ridden, no extra inside final furlong
pushed along and outpaced in rear, no impression
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, soon edged left
dwelt, pushed along in rear, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on
Masta Plasta has a hefty penalty to carry for his Norfolk Stakes win and Howard Johnson's colt may struggle to concede weight away all round so a chance is taken with Balthazaar's Gift, who can confirm Gimcrack form with Advanced. The last mentioned came back well from a disappointing effort at the Ebor meeting when landing a Salisbury conditions race last time and has to be respected on that evidence but Kevin Ryan has a decent bunch of two-year-olds this term and Balthazaar's Gift looks worth another chance on what he showed in the Gimcrack. Mick Channon's Puskas drops back in grade having been outclassed in group races in his last two starts and cannot be discounted, while Escape Plan has failed to build on his Ripon success in August and may be best watched now. South Cape did everything asked when making a winning debut at Newbury last month but faces no easy task stepping up in class here and a safer bet looks to be Balthazaar's Gift.
Masta Plasta (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Held up, behind, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and no extra final furlong, 10th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Johnny The Fish (8-11) at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Sept.
Advanced 6-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, not clear run and switched right 1f out, ran on strongly, led close home, won at Salisbury 6f 2yo stk (2) gd in Sept beating Grantley Adams (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Always behind, 12th of 13, 7l behind Cool Creek (8-12) at Newbury 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in Sept.
Charles Darwin (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) In touch, not much room and lost place after 1f, not clear run halfway and again 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2l behind Yankee George (8-13) at Haydock 6f 2yo hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Escape Plan (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders racing keenly, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 9th of 13, 6l behind Cool Creek (8-12) at Newbury 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in Sept.
Puskas (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and hung left over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 2l behind Prince of Light (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Sept.
Sand Cat 33-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impression, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sir Xaar (8-11) at Ripon 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
South Cape 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on well, won at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept beating Beauchamp Utopia (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
