led, ridden over 2f out, under pressure over 1f out, kept on, headed post
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up in touch, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, hung left final furlong, stayed on to lead post (hand timed)
tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
COVERT AMBITION comes with a warning about the ground however if he takes his chance then this looks a good opportunity to return to winning ways; The Betchworth Kid may be best of the rest especially if the rain comes. The selection was a beaten favourite when last seen at Newbury in July, when his stablemate Crime Scene spoiled the party. He has only had four starts so is obviously still learning but he is the highest-rated in the race and is narrowly preferred. Ajaan is a bit quirky but he has the talent and although the figures suggest he has a bit to find it would be no surprise to see him run well, whilst Free Agent tries the blinkers for the first time and he is one of two three-year-old's in the race who must be respected. The other is Tactic who was not disgraced at Goodwood last time and his previous second to St. Leger favourite Kite Wood reads very well. The Betchworth Kid was only beaten by two lengths in the Ebor which was a fine effort given the ground was too quick for him. If the forecast rain arrives then it would be no surprise to see him feature heavily. Basaltico completes the line-up but on what we have seen in three starts here this former Italian runner looks sure to struggle in his quest to give weight away all round, despite a better effort last time at Chester. A top race to finish with, where the vote is given to Covert Ambition.
Basaltico (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Held up in 7th, pushed along 3f out, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Munsef (9-8) at Chester 1m 5f listed hcp 0-110 (1) gf in Aug.
Ajaan 13-2fav (9-1) Raced keen, tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, ridden and outpaced 2f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 17, 6l behind Som Tala (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) sft in Jun.
Covert Ambition 11-8fav (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway to chase winner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Crime Scene (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gs in Jul.
The Betchworth Kid 33-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, not clear run on inside well over 2f out and again well over 1f out, not clear run and switched right soon after, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 19, 1 3/4l behind Sesenta (8-8) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Tactic 7-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon recovered, prominent, challenged leader 6f out until 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Harbinger (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Free Agent 11-2 (9-0) Tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 8, 8l behind Kite Wood (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Jul.
