in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
dwelt in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd close home, nearest finish
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden from over 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, headway on bit over 2f out, joined winner inside final furlong, ridden and no response
held up, ridden 5f out, weakened 3f out
close up, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, weakened final furlong
Itlaaq scored over track and trip in July and is only 2lb higher for this. But he finished a couple of lengths behind GAMBOL here last time and the latter has more scope for improvement over today's trip. Barry Hills' charge gets the nod dropped in class but recent Ffos Las winner Riptide also has decent claims off only a 3lb higher mark. Big Time Billy and Dr Irv finished almost upsides at Thirsk last time while both Entihaa and Ex Oriente made the frame over 2m on their latest starts.
Itlaaq 11-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway and not much room over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 16, 6l behind Edge Of Sanity (9-6) at York 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
Masterful Act (USA) 33-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 14, well behind Litigant (9-5) at Lingfield 2m cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol in Apr.
Kiwayu 7-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out until weakened inside last 150 yards, 4th of 7, 9l behind Special Fighter (8-8) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Gambol (FR) 12-1 (8-7) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway over 3f out, short of room over 2f out, stayed on same pace after, 6th of 16, 5l behind Edge Of Sanity (9-6) at York 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
Entihaa 7-2 (9-5) Dwelt, held up in last pair, headway under pressure on outside over 2f out, effort to challenge over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, one pace when slightly hampered well inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Maoi Chinn Tire (8-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Knightly Escapade 16-1 (8-2) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway when not much room and switched left 2f out, no impression and weakened entering final furlong, 15th of 16, 11l behind Edge Of Sanity (9-6) at York 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
Ex Oriente (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Raced keenly, led and set steady pace, joined 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Saborido (9-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Aug.
Riptide 8-1 (9-2) Made all, cajoled along halfway, ridden and hard pressed over 2f out, held on gamely final furlong, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul beating Annaluna (8-4) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dr Irv 11-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, headway on inside travelling well over 2f out, 2nd 2f out, led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost two places close home, 4th of 14, 1l behind Deauville Dancer (9-0) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Big Time Billy (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd last strides, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Deauville Dancer (9-0) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Chant (IRE) 10-3fav (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Zeus Magic (10-0) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Chivers (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, effort on outside into 3rd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug beating District Attorney (8-9) by nk, 11 ran.
