close up on inside, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reached leaders
close up, chased leading pair over 1f out, kept on under pressure
never nearer than mid-division
chased leaders, driven over 1f out, out pace final furlong
slowly into stride and bumped start, in rear, moderate headway final furlong
behind, ran on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
held up towards rear on outer, ridden over over 2f out and soon beaten
prominent, chased winner 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, always held
chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final 2f, held on well, driven out
behind, pushed along 3f out, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on under pressure
behind, driven and struggling over 2f out
Special Lad is now 6lbs higher than when scoring over course and distance last time and may be a shade high in the weights now and, with After The Show probably better over the minimum trip, the vote goes to Hammer of The Gods. Phil McEntee's six-year-old is much better on the Polytrack than on turf and is potentially still ahead of the handicapper on this surface judged by his success at Lingfield three starts ago. High Reach lost no caste in defeat behind the progressive Hogmaneigh at Sandown last time but has yet to prove his effectiveness on this surface, while Guest Connections has more to do than when narrowly beating Libor at Goodwood last time. She's My Outsider is closely matched with Special Lad on running here last time and is another to consider but the return to this surface is taken to help Hammer of The Gods resume winning ways.
High Reach 14-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden 2f out, not paced to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Hogmaneigh (9-4) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Special Lad 5-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up, good headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furling, soon quickened clear, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating She's My Outsider (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Guest Connections 9-2 (9-8) Slowly into stride, held up rear, headway on outer over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Libor (9-3) by a hd, 8 ran.
Zarzu 25-1 (9-6) Behind, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 13th of 18, 6l behind Danzig River (8-13) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
Hammer of The Gods (IRE) 10-3fav (9-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 17, 5l behind Banjo Bay (9-8) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul.
After The Show 14-1 (9-1) Held up, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Cashel Mead (9-6) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
She's My Outsider 7-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final 2f, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Special Lad (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Pure Imagination (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Taranaki (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) gd.
