pressed leader, effort over 2f out, led inside final 2f, soon ridden, hard pressed inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish
tracked leaders, effort when not much room inside final 2f, ridden 1f out, soon every chance, kept on, held towards finish
held up behind, outpaced 2f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
mid-division on inside, driven and headway inside final 2f, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, outpaced towards finish
mid-division on outside, effort over 2f out, soon one pace, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, driven and headed inside final 2f, soon ridden, lost place inside final furlong, weakened final 110 yards
held up behind, driven over 2f out, soon ridden and outpaced, never on terms
tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure, outpaced final 110 yards
mid-division, dropped towards rear over 6f out, struggling 3f out, never a threat, weakened and eased final furlong
This rates a tight heat but it may be best to stick with ARCHIE PERKINS, whose excellent season mirrors that of his handler, Nigel Tinkler. The Arcano gelding currently has a career-high rating of 83 but he's been proving a real tough cookie on recent starts and another highly competitive run is anticipated over his optimum trip. Gossip Column is an obvious danger after laudable efforts in good company of late but he's turned into a real hold-up merchant and will need everything to drop his way. Invasion Day and Stonific give the O'Meara team a strong hand and are preferred in that order while recent Pontefract winner Regal Mirage also merits respect.
Gossip Column (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on and held near finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind Hereby (8-6) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Archie Perkins (IRE) 4-1fav (9-9) Raced keenly, soon tracked leader, driven to lead narrowly inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, held on well, won at York 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Furzig (9-7) by nk, 12 ran.
Stonific (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) In touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 6 1/2l behind King's Advice (9-7) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Benadalid 8-1 (10-0) Prominent, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and every chance, outpaced 1f out, gradually weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Trinity Star (9-2) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Regal Mirage (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leader entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Firewater (8-5) by 1l, 9 ran.
Invasion Day (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Soon raced in 2nd, travelling smoothly straight, on terms 2f out, pushed along to lead over 1f out, soon joined, kept on well inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Long Arm (8-12) at Gowran Park 1m 1f gd in Jul.
Top Notch Tonto (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway under pressure on outside over 2f out, outpaced when not clear run inside final 2f, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Trinity Star (9-2) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Thomas Cranmer (USA) 11-2 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Archie Perkins (9-9) at York 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
International Guy (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 15 3/4l behind Ghaziyah (9-0) at Thirsk 1m stks (5) gf in Jul.
