mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f
always behind
prominent, ridden over 4f out, stayed on one pace final 2f
held up, ridden over 3f out, driven to lead final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, never on terms
Destinys Dream won well enough when successful at Chester last time but a 4lb rise for that win and the softer ground makes this tougher for him and preference is for SUMMER LODGE, who gets the verdict ahead of Puy d'Arnac. Alan Swinbank's gelding has a 6lb penalty to carry for his win at Musselburgh last time but that was on a similar surface to this afternoon and he has every chance of following up that success. James Given's Punch Drunk has been running consistently well but keeps on finding at least one too good and he may have to settle for minor honours again here. Tim Walford's Harry The Hawk is capable of taking a hand in the finish but would probably prefer the ground to quicken up and a safer option looks to be Summer Lodge. Jeremy Glover's gelding has shown improved form of late with recent wins at Ripon and Beverley and he is taken to score again with ground conditions to suit.
Harry The Hawk 8-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Saga De Tercey (9-10) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Bavarian Nordic (USA) 16-1 (8-8) In rear, ridden halfway, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, kept on final furlong, 4th of 13, 10l behind Foolin Myself (9-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-90 (3) fbs in Aug.
Destinys Dream (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Patiently ridden in rear, headway on bit approaching 2f out, squeezed between horses inside final furlong, soon led and ran on, won at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug beating Distinctive Image (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Summer Lodge 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Safebreaker (10-10) at Chester 1m 4f am hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Aureate 12-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, with leader, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, 12th of 15, well behind Overrule (9-6) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 4-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, led going well 2f out, shaken up 1f out, ridden out, comfortably, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug beating Interdiamonds (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Highland Love 20-1 (9-2) Always prominent, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed just over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Rose Row (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Aug.
Punch Drunk 15-2 (8-7) In rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Leceile (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
