held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, driven and headway well over 1f out, never on terms
always behind
made all, driven over 2f out, soon cushioned clear, ran on well
behind, some late headway never near
held up in touch, raced keenly, headway to chase winner over 1f out, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, effort over 3f out soon weakened
Jeremy Noseda's Racing Hero is less exposed than his rivals after just four starts but is far from certain to handle the cut in the ground and a safer option looks to be THUNDERBALL, who gets the verdict ahead of Opera Prince. Sylvester Kirk's gelding has come back well after a break at the end of the summer and he has to be respected having dropped to a fair mark and being a confirmed performer with cut in the ground. Mark Buckley's Jawaab won well enough at Warwick when last seen in August but a 5lb rise for that success and the softer surface has to be of some concern. Chris Wall's Beau Fighter is 6lbs higher than when winning at Newbury in May but he has only had two starts since then and will relish the underfoot conditions so has to be respected. He makes more appeal than Inspirina, who has won on a soft surface but has shown better form on faster ground of late. The vote then goes to the way of Jeremy Glover's Thunderball, who should relish the going and the three-year-old looks worth chancing stepping up from a mile against his mainly older rivals.
Jawaab (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division on inside, steady headway going well 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug beating Souter Point (8-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Maria di Scozia 12-1 (9-9) Steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, beaten when ridden and wandered over 1f out, 7th of 12, 7l behind Cill Rialaig (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 2f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Beau Fighter 5-2fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced over 3f out, switched right 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Trip The Light (9-10) at Haydock 1m 4f app hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Ahmedy (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway 2f out, hung left 1f out, driven and stayed on well inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Wind Flow (9-7) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Racing Hero (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Held up in touch, headway on inner well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Uncle Fred (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) std.
Upton Seas 9-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, weakened well over 2f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Charging Indian (8-7) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Inspirina (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Held up and keen, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Rayhani (9-9) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Highkingofireland 8-1 (9-0) Dwelt, keen, held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 16l behind Lady Luachmhar (9-10) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jul.
Thunderball 4-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Poyle Meg (8-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Opera Prince 16-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along 3f out, effort 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Decision (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Clear Sailing 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Vamos (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
