made all, pushed along over 2f out and soon pulled clear, 3 lengths ahead entering final 1f, ridden out and in full control final furlong
close up in 2nd, niggled along over 4f out, reminder over 3f out, carried head high and outpaced by winner over 2f out, dropped to 3rd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced in 4th, closer in 3rd over 4f out, headway over 2f out, ridden when edged right and rider dropped reins briefly under 2f out, no further impression and weakened from over 1f out
chased leaders in 3rd, raced freely, pushed along 3f out, outpaced and dropped to last under 2f out, ran on into 4th inside final furlong, took 3rd closing stages but no threat
held up in last, headway going nicely over 2f out but soon waiting for room, not clear run and switched left well over 1f out, closed into 2nd over 1f out but over 3 lengths behind winner, ran on final furlong
Another small-field handicap in which the Dalgleish team run a couple. Euro Implosion's winning run came to a halt at Musselburgh six days ago and the course and distance winner may find life tough conceding weight to the three-year-olds. Stablemate Ayr Empress, also a course winner, may need to improve to take this tight heat and Natural Value is another probably needing to find a little extra on the evidence of efforts to date. Cedar Rapids, lightly-raced and on the upgrade, rates a big danger to BATTLE ANGEL, a fair Irish handicapper for Emmet Mullins and a cosy winner on debut here for Mark Walford, for which his 4lb rise in the weights is acceptable.
Euro Implosion (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led, ducked left 9f out, pushed along 3f out, headed 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Glasses Up (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Cedar Rapids (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Soon chasing leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Tregony (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Battle Angel (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Held up in last pair, headway when not clearest of runs over 2f out until switched out inside final 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and stayed on gamely, won at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp (6) gd in Jul beating Bouncing Bobby (8-9) by 1l, 7 ran.
Natural Value 28-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on and switched left inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Epidemic (8-10) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Ayr Empress (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, driven 2f out, disputing 2nd 1f out, 3rd and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Tommy R (9-9) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
