tracked leading trio and keen, 3rd over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out until inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd
held up last, steady headway on outside 2f out, 3rd over 1f out, 2nd inside final furlong, quickened to lead final 100 yards, comfortably
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, plugged on in modest 4th final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
led and raced keenly, headed 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leading pair until pushed along over 2f out, unable to quicken 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
NonRunner
Unbeaten in three starts last year including a couple of course and distance victories, Fly makes a belated reappearance off a 5lb higher mark. But last month’s Beverley winner THAQAFFA (NAP) has the more recent form having been beaten less than a length in Class 3 company here by the progressive Gurkha Friend. He is preferred to recent maiden winner St Mary's and gets the nod. The veteran Shifting Star was beaten off today’s mark last time after winning at Windsor earlier but Tournament has been getting closer as he slips down the weights.
Fly 5-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, 2nd 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on to lead final 50 yards, won at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Oct beating Lu's Buddy (9-5) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Tournament 8-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Poet's Beauty (9-0) at Nottingham 1m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
St Mary's 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, soon challenged, ridden 1f out, upsides when carried right inside final furlong, ran on, led narrowly near finish, won at Thirsk 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Jul beating Ballet Concerto (9-5) by shd, 13 ran.
Thaqaffa (IRE) 3-1jfav (8-5) Chased winner, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance until edged right last half furlong, no extra and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Gurkha Friend (9-3) at Pontefract 1m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Shifting Star (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) Keen led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 5th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Bunbury (9-13) at Windsor 1m hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Freddy With A Y (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Abareeq (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Storm King 50-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 22 1/4l behind Bastille Day (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Jun.