steadied start, held up last, niggled along 5f out, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leader inside final 2f, led 1f out, idled in front and kept up to work, always doing enough
tracked leader, challenged 4f out, led entering final 3f, ridden and headed 2f out, chased leader until inside final 2f, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
held up in 4th place, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten
held up in 5th place, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace
led, joined 4f out, headed entering final 3f, weakened over 2f out
The ability of PALLASATOR to handle today's ground has to be taken on trust but he gets the vote regardless. Typically of one from his yard, Sir Mark Prescott's charge has improved with each step up in trip culminating in a win over 1m4f at Kempton earlier this month and further progress is expected. Ruacana has proven form over the distance when runner-up in soft ground at Chester in July and he won't be far away while Gabrial's Star stays 2m well enough but looks a shade high in the weights. Salisbury winner Varnish just got the better of Cape Savannah on that occasion and they're both preferred to Nicholascopernicus, now 9lb higher than his latest win in June.
Pallasator 7-2 (9-7) Sweating badly, slowly into stride, in touch, headway on inner 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed along and stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Nordic Quest (8-11) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Ruacana 4-1 (8-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden on inside 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 9, 8l behind Rumh (9-3) at Goodwood 2m hcp 105 (2) gd.
Gabrial's Star 15-8fav (9-1) Slowly away, raced wide, close up after 2f, pushed along 5f out, led 3f out, soon joined, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 8l behind Mafeteng (8-9) at York 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Nicholascopernicus (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, some headway over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 9l behind Roxy Flyer (9-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Varnish 13-2 (9-1) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 3f out, led over 1f out, pushed out hands and heels, held on close home, won at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug beating Cape Savannah (9-3) by nk, 8 ran.
Cape Savannah 7-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Varnish (9-1) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
