chased leader to 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, no impression final 2f
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, driven and ran on to lead near finish
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, soon struggling
mid-division, driven along and beaten over 2f out
led to over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon not much room on inner, one pace after
held up last, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on, headed near finish
A competitive contest here where Distiller, Couer Courageux and Casablanca Minx look to be the leading players and Baan is respected, and the vote goes to Distiller. Given that he unseated his rider and ran loose last time, Distiller's c&d win by a length from Tri Chara is all the more laudible. He responded well to a fair bit of traffic trouble in the race that day too, and a 4lb rise for his win seems pretty fair, so with more relaxed pre-race proceedings here he looks capable of following up. Casablanca Minx is a standing dish here with three c&d successes plus a 7f win to her name and she ran well off this mark here last time, so is very much respected. Couer Courageux is slipping back to a winning mark and goes well here but has never won beyond 7f and there is enough doubt there for us to swerve him today. Of the others, Baan drops back in trip and has won over 9f at Epsom early in his career, and as one slipping rapidly down the weights he may have the ability to take this, but provided Distiller behaves he can add another win to his CV.
General Knowledge (USA) 20-1 (9-11) Took keen hold, tracked leader to over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Langford (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
Coeur Courageux (FR) 14-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside from over 4f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Risque Heights (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Buckie Massa 33-1 (8-10) Held up rear, stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish, 7th of 18, 8l behind Bankable (8-11) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs in Sept.
One Night In Paris (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 7th of 13, 4l behind Alfresco (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcap (4) pol in Sept.
Distiller (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Switched left soon after start, held up in rear, headway on outer 2f out, soon ridden, led 1f out, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Tri Chara (8-8) by 1l, 8 ran.
Silent Storm 33-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 10, 12l behind For Life (8-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Pab Special (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 6l behind Hula Ballew (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcap (5) gf in Jun.
Baan (USA) 14-1 (9-7) Chased leader, headed 4f out, headed well over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 16, 8l behind Highland Legacy (9-0) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Casablanca Minx (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Steadied start, headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Princess Cocoa (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol.
Robinzal 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged right, one pace, 4th of 11, 1l behind Excessive (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Corlough Mountain 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Teasing (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
