dwelt and towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
held up, smooth progress 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra close home
steadied at start and held up, headway on inner 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch and led after 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
held up behind, headway on bit over 2f out, switched right and left over 1f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
led, headed after 2f, remained in touch, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always rear division
took keen told behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
Major Magpie won't mind the rains that have fallen this week and is taken to defy topweight from Champain Sands, Jordan's Light and Pepper Road. The selection is in decent nick, having finished runner-up on his last two starts over both a mile and 10f. Admittedly he is still 3lb higher than his last win, but he will get through the ground and a number of other contedners will have more difficulty. One of those will be c&d winner Pepper Road, who is back no a handy mark but would want it to dry out plenty. Jordan's Light did not act on soft ground last time and unless things dry significantly his chances must surely be hindered, while the going is fine for Champain Sands, who was a winner last time over 7f and under a 6lb penalty could still pose a serious threat. But Major Magpie will be a tough nut to crack and gets the nod.
Major Magpie (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, headway on inner over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Otranto (8-13) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) frm in Jul.
Joshua's Gold (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (8-10) In touch, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 10, nk behind Le Chiffre (8-9) at Haydock 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Champain Sands (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Held up, switched left and headway over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, ran on, readily, won at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-70 (5) frm in Jul beating Pay Time (8-13) by 1l, 8 ran.
Can Can Star 3-1 (9-3) Tracked winner, ridden and effort over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Secret Assassin (9-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo mdn aut (6) frm in Jul.
Jordan's Light (USA) 10-3 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden and some headway over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 14, 14l behind Moody Tunes (9-7) at Ayr 7f 3yo hcp (6) sft in May.
Pepper Road 10-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Merlins Profit (9-2) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
Flashing Floozie 5-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon headed, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Joy In The Guild (8-8) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo sll (6) gd in Jul.
Pab Special (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Cool Ebony (9-6) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
