made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, all out
in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on same pace
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, just failed
started slowly, behind, ridden over 4f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakening when not much room, 1f out
with winner, ridden 5f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, ran in snatches, ridden over 4f out, headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
Establishment gets the vote in the finale with Numero Due and Escayola rated as the main dangers. The selection was a little disappointing last time but he will be suited by the return to this faster surface and as he is also proven over the course and distance he should be hard to beat. Numero Due has been running well of late but conversely he would prefer more give underfoot and for that reason we will take him on. Escayolo would have claims on the pick of his form but he has been a little disappointing of late and his best form is arguably over slightly further. Squirtle is game and consistent and may prove best of the rest, but for the winner we will stick with Establishement.
Numero Due 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, effort and chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Mirjan (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Aug.
Escayola (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Reluctant to jump off, lost many lengths, headway to join group after 2f, ridden 7f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 10l behind Sir Monty (9-8) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Establishment 9-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden and headway to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug beating Velvet Heights (10-0) by 1l, 8 ran.
Merrymaker 8-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 4l behind Establishment (9-6) at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Resonance 7-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 10, 20l behind Zalda (8-6) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (E) gs in Aug '04.
Acuzio 9-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, one pace, 4th of 11, 2l behind Ramsgill (10-11) at Chester 1m 4f amt hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Gallileo Figaro (USA) 33-1 (8-9) Behind, hampered over 7f out, ridden over 4f out, headway well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Thumpers Dream (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f mdn fll (5) gd in Aug.
Squirtle (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Wings of Dawn (8-6) at Bath 1m 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Skit 16-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, led over 2f out, quickened well, won at Chepstow 2m 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug beating The Spread (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
