led, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
chased leaders, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon edged right, ran on
held up, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd post
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
with leader, ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Texas Gold has hit a rich vein of form of late and can beat this useful field of speedsters including Fire Up The Band and Majestic Missile. Texas Gold has been a credit to connections throughout his career, and at the age of seven still has plenty more to offer judged on this season's efforts alone. Having gone close on more than one occasion, it was no surprise when he came good at Haydock in August, nor when he followed up at Epsom next time. He would have carried a penalty in Wednesday's Portland so instead lines up in this Listed event, and although things will need to fall right, he has the right man in the saddle in Kieren Fallon. Obviously Majestic Missile will be strongly fancied after his close third in the Nunthorpe, but the fact remains that he has not recaptured the form that saw him land both the Molecomb and Cornwallis Stakes as a two-year-old. Connections have big plans for him with a trip to France for the Prix de'Labbaye pencilled in, but at the likely odds today he is again worth taking on. Fire Up The Band was well behind Majestic Missile in the Nunthorpe but if it were to rain significantly, his chance would increase no end. Stetchworth Prince has time to improve as a three-year-old, but basically Texas Gold is a proven big-race performer and at the odds on offer, is worth chancing surely against the classy Majestic Missile.
Celtic Mill 17-2 (9-9) Led for 2f, chased leader, ridden 3f out, short of room when clipped heels and fell in race won by Resplendent Glory (8-12) at Sandown 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul, 8 ran.
Fire Up The Band 16-1 (9-11) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 16, 4l behind La Cucaracha (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gf in Aug.
Majestic Missile (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 1l behind La Cucaracha (9-8) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gf in Aug.
Texas Gold 4-1jt-fav (9-4) Held up, headway over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, won at Epsom 5f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Cape Royal (8-10) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Stetchworth Prince 3-1 (8-9) Led early, with leaders, led again over 2f out, ridden out, won at Doncaster 6f stk (3) gs in Jul beating Peace Offering (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Notjustaprettyface (USA) 16-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 8th of 17, 5l behind Fruit of Glory (9-0) at Pontefract 6f lst fll stk (1) gf in Aug.
Azygous 4-1 (9-7) With leaders, ridden and every chance when carried left over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3l behind Angus Newz (8-9) at Warwick 5f 2yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Nigella 66-1 (8-11) Held up and keen, ridden and weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong, last of 6, 33l behind Flashy Wings (9-2) at York 6f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
