tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out until inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on same pace
held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong
held up, smooth headway tracking leaders over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, soon switched left, pushed along and stayed on to lead towards finish
steadeid start, held up well in rear, headway and switched left 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish but not quite pace to challenge
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
raced keenly, led, ridden over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner towards finish
Nonrunner
Gratzie has been highly tried since scoring at Epsom in June and should appreciate this slightly easier task, though easy going is a concern. The ground may also pose problems for Spark Plug, who never seems to have much luck, but Secret Brief won a valuable sales race on good to soft at Newmarket around this time last year and has been consistent this season without managing to get his head in front. It's possible that 7f is his trip, however, while Early Morning is 11lb higher than for his latest win at Haydock. BIRDMAN has already won five times this year so has climbed the weights but he just doesn't know how to run a bad race and it would be no surprise to see him back in the winner's enclosure here with plenty in his favour.
Birdman (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chasing leaders when badly hampered over 1f out, no danger after, 7th of 18, 7 3/4l behind Chil The Kite (9-10) at York 1m hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Spark Plug (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, kept on inside final furlong, no chance, 7th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Exosphere (8-5) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Energia Davos (BRZ) 18-1 (9-1) 11th of 15, at Meydan 1m 2f hcp pol in Feb.
Secret Brief (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway far side over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd last strides, 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Farlow (9-9) at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Gratzie 40-1 (9-1) Last pair, pushed along halfway, never on terms, 9th of 13, 6 1/2l behind Nakuti (9-1) at Sandown 1m Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug.
Marcret (ITY) 7-1 (8-12) Steadied start, behind, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Sound Advice (9-6) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Puissant (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 10l behind Always Smile (9-2) at Doncaster 1m hcp (3) gf in May.
Early Morning (IRE) 4-1fav (9-8) Tracked leading pair, 2nd 5f out, led 2f out, clear over 1f out, eased close home, won at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gf in Aug beating Manchestar (9-2) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
