tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on, not trouble leaders
pulled hard close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
made all, ridden over 2f out, stayed on strongly
keen tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
CERTIFICATE made a bold bid on his handicap debut at Windsor but came up just short. The least exposed of these, he can confirm running with Set The Trend and land this. A runner-up here last time, Pleasure Bent is weighted to turn the tables with Desert Ranger, but Never To Be is having his first start since finishing second at Kempton in March. Subtle Knife's long losing run continues though she has finally dropped back to a winning mark.
Certificate 15-8fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, not clear run from over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Jailawi (9-6) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Pleasure Bent 9-2 (9-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon every chance, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, nk behind Desert Ranger (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Never To Be (USA) 11-8fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, outpaced by winner final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Passing Star (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Set The Trend 10-1 (9-10) Dwelt mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 9th of 12, 6l behind Berlusca (9-9) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Lockhart (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 8l behind Green Howard (10-1) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Tommy's Secret 10-1 (9-7) Midfield, headway over 1f out, ran on, never nearer, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Barnmore (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Subtle Knife 50-1 (8-12) Towards rear, outpaced 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 6th of 13, 6l behind Bold Lass (9-3) at Ascot 1m flls hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Desert Ranger (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Steadied in rear, headway over 2f out, soon every chance, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug beating Pleasure Bent (9-10) by nk, 8 ran.
Afkar (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Led until over 2f out, soon rallied, held when short of room over 1f out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Desert Ranger (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.