awkward at start, soon led, ridden and ran on final furlong
held up towards rear, wide and headway 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked winner, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along 2f out, no impression until stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced wide, in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
TRYST gets the nomination ahead of Roaring Forte and Hustle. Sir Michael Stoute has a useful recruit on his hands with Tryst - a Cheveley Park-owned gelding who has been kept in training in the hope of further handicap success. The form of his seasonal debut is working out well and the mount of Ryan Moore has very little to fear at this level. Hustle carries 6lb extra after dead-heating over course and distance last week; so he can be expected to be fit and raring to go. However, Gay Kelleway's charge can race too keenly and has too often been found out by a sucker punch. He is still a candidate for a place in the frame at this level, though. Roaring Forte made all to win a handicap at Great Leighs when he was last seen out, so obviously knows what is required from him. However, that form has taken a few subsequent knocks and he now has a bit to prove from top weight - especially after an absence of 237 days. Therefore, it can pay to side with Tryst, who represents a top yard, and owners who rarely persevere with geldings unless they are confident prize-money is there for the taking.
Roaring Forte (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Made all, clear over 2f out, ridden out, won at Great Leighs 1m 3yo hcp (2) pol in Sep beating Storm Sir (8-7) by 6l, 10 ran.
Giganticus (USA) 16-1 (8-11) Always mid-division on stands side, 15th of 27, 13l behind Swift Gift (8-5) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gf.
Golden Desert (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Slowly into stride, raced stand side, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Plum Pudding (9-6) at Newmarket 7f hcap (2) gf in Oct.
Tryst 11-8fav (9-10) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol beating Makaam (8-12) by nk, 10 ran.
Binanti 8-1 (9-12) Held up 5th, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, eased inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 12l behind Keep Discovering (9-7) at Sandown 7f hcap (3) gs in Aug.
Barons Spy (IRE) 40-1 (8-3) Held up behind winner, effort over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 4l behind Valery Borzov (9-4) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) sft.
Hustle (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Keen, in touch, headway over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, ridden and then hung right, ran on to join winner, post, won at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf deadheating with Pravda Street (8-13), 11 ran.
Countdown 33-1 (8-11) Held up in last place, pushed along over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 11, 6l behind Hustle (8-10) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
