chased leading pair, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
close up in 5th, headway to led approaching 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner final furlong
always towards rear, no progress over 2f out
steadied start, held up in rear on inside, switched right to outside over 2f out, sustained run to chase leader inside final 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, clear final furlong, stayed on strongly
led until narrowly headed halfway, chased leaders until 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, pushed along halfway, headway on inside under pressure over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leader, led halfway until over 3f out, chased leader until 2f out, weakened soon after and eased
mid-division on inside, headway over 2f out, went 2nd briefly 2f out until weakened over 1f out
Several of these have conditions to suit but CAPTAIN DANCER makes most appeal and gets the vote to beat Gritstone. Barry Hills' charge has had a relatively light campaign and with soft ground to his liking he may be able to end it with a bang. He arrives on the back of a game Haydock success having previously caught the eye at Chester and a 2lb rise doesn't appear harsh, especially in this lesser grade. Gritstone is another who has been contesting better races that this and ran well from out of the weights at Newmarket but he does have a question to answer on this ground, unlike Strategic Mission and Tamanaco who will thrive. Ed McMahon won this last year but Norwegian Dancer's victories have come on quick ground at Chester so Tenessee is more interesting now he's got his head in front from a fair mark.
Norwegian Dancer (UAE) 7-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Ailsa Craig (8-10) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Captain Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, led last 100 yards, held on towards finish, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Sep beating Ingleby Spirit (8-12) by nk, 11 ran.
King Fingal (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Mid-division, outpaced on outside over 2f out, never near leaders, 10th of 13, 5l behind Bencoolen (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Gritstone 14-1 (8-7) Raced center in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Spoken (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sep.
Oriental Cat 7-2 (9-4) Pulled hard, headway to lead over 9f out, ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 23l behind Sparkling Smile (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Tenessee 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led well over 2f out, ridden 1f out, pressed and challenged final 100 yards, kept on gamely and found extra near finish, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep beating Sunley Spinalonga (9-2) by hd, 8 ran.
Hel's Angel (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up in touch on inside, switched right and outpaced 3f out, beaten after, 5th of 9, 11l behind Kings Troop (11-8) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sep.
Tamanaco (IRE) 15-2 (9-9) Held up in 4th, edged right well over 3f out, driven and outpaced over 2f out, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to lead final 100 yards, kept on, won at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug beating Ice Viking (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Supa Seeker (USA) 33-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Tevez (9-6) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
Mingun Bell (USA) 11-4 (9-1) Led early, tracked winner, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken from over 1f out and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind City Ground (9-4) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.
Strategic Mission (IRE) 4-1fav (9-9) Held up mid-division on inside, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 13, 6l behind King Zeal (9-9) at Haydock 1m 2f all hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sep.
