led, clear hafway until over 2f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading pair, weakened into 4th inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, led over 1f out, soon ridden and stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
always behind
chased clear leader, closed over 2f out, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
slowly away, last trio, ridden over 3f out, plugged on under pressure into modest 3rd inside final furlong
always in last trio, never a factor
MASTERSON was last seen jumping a hurdle when unplaced at Stratford but previous efforts on the Flat bring him into strong contention. His sole success to date arrived over course and distance, he handles the firm ground effectively and the champion jockey is aboard. A first-time visor is also applied to aid concentration. There are three clear dangers to the selection, all of whom ran here a fortnight ago when coming home second, third and fourth in the handicap won by Zephyros. Monday Club, Lady Blanco and course and distance winner, Desert Cross, was the order in which they crossed the line, but at the revised weights it would not surprise to see Lady Blanco reverse placings. It's a tight call though and decent cases can be made for all three in what is inevitably a tightly-knit affair.
Masterson (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 29 1/4l behind Jazzy (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Daybreak Lady 28-1 (8-12) Mid-division, 7th and ridden over 2f out, soon well beaten, 10th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Figurante (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp fll (6) pol in Apr.
Lady Blanco (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Keen, tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Zephyros (9-13) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Monday Club 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, effort inside final furlong, ran on, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 15, shd behind Zephyros (9-13) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Turaathy (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Slowly away, never travelling in rear until some headway on wide outside chasing leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 12 1/4l behind R Bar Open (9-6) at Salisbury 7f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Desert Cross 7-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 15, 3l behind Zephyros (9-13) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Ochos Rios 16-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, behind most of way, 10th of 14, 18 1/4l behind Madame Claud (9-1) at Bath 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Voices Of Kings 20-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on outside, ridden 3f out, weakened soon after, last of 9, 31 1/2l behind Palisade (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jul.
