led, headed 4f out, stayed prominent until weakened from 2f out
tracked leaders, riden to lead over 2f out, pressed over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, held on all out
held up last, ridden over 3f out, kept on for over 1f out, never nearer
took keen hold towards rear, headway an effort over 2f out, soon ridden, quickened over 1f out, stayed on same pace
held up, chased leaders 2f out, ridden pressed winner over 1f out, every chance, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out to inside final furlong, always just held
tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon one pace
Artless, Toparudi and Takafu make the shortlist here with Artless the selection to lead them home. Five pounds higher than his success last time over the course and distance, Toparudi enjoys cut in the ground and looks set to go well. He ran a couple of sound races at the start of the season before disappointing when well fancied at Carlisle, and then ran a stinker before his latest success. The form of his win may not be great and he is opposed. Takafu is a consistent type, and followed up a win at Warwick with a narrow defeat here last time. Both those races were on an easy surface, and his only below par run recently came on a sounder surface. The soft ground here will suit and he is a threat. Artless has wins at Musselburgh and Ayr to his credit, and he has enjoyed being stepped up in trip. He is consistent, and lightly raced and appears to be a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver. The trainer turns him out quickly under a penalty, and he is still well treated. Artless can take care of some more exposed rivals.
Michabo (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Tracked leader 3f, stayed in touch until weakened from 2f out, 6th of 12, 8l behind Stoop To Conquer (9-4) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Takafu (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase winner 1f out, always just held inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, nk behind Swan Queen (9-6) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Wild Pitch 10-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up last, never a factor, last of 12, 11l behind Wild Fell Hall (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
Toparudi 12-1 (8-12) Settled in rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft beating Desert Sea (9-9) by 2l, 9 ran.
Cavallini (USA) 6-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, 9th of 11, 15l behind Polish Red (8-12) at Windsor 1m 4f hcap (4) gs.
Prince Zafonic 3-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway on outside 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 12, 9l behind Icannshift (8-7) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Jun.
Daring Racer (GER) 6-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, kept on but always held by winner, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Olimpo (9-4) at Sandown 1m 6f hcap (4) gd.
Artless (USA) 13-8fav (10-1) Prominent chasing group, effort over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, won at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (5) gs beating Rare Coincidence (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
