led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, no impression inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, beaten over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden and beaten over 1f out
pressed leader, led 2f out, edged right and ran green from over 1f out, ran on well
held up, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
always behind
IRISH MUSIC looks the pick for the opener, while The Wee Chief is the most interesting of the remainder. The selection was a half-length second to Lord Of the Reins over the minimum trip here last time and his mark of 62 is a realistic one given that effort. He has enough form on his CV that is stronger than anything else in the field to suggest that he can get off the mark at the tenth attempt, especially over this longer trip. The Wee Chief is definitely the most interesting in opposition. The King Charlemagne gelding made a pleasing debut at Salisbury in the summer and has his first run since then. He is sure to have strengthened up a bit and is unexposed, so may be capable of going close if taking to the Polytrack. Spinning Bailiwick steps back up in trip and acts on this surface if her run at Lingfield is anything to go by. However, she has plenty to find on official figures and a place is her best hope. The hoods are applied to Cullybackey, who will need to improve plenty of what we saw last time to get competitive, and Irish Music can call the tune.
Irish Music (IRE) 4-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on and every chance well inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Lord Of The Reins (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Oxbridge 22-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway final furlong, never able to challenge, 7th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Elusive Ronnie (8-12) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Ride A White Swan 6-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 11, 4l behind Carnival Dream (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f Apprentice Handicap (0-52) (3yo+) (6) pol.
The Wee Chief (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind High Achieved (8-12) at Salisbury 6f mdn stks (5) gf in Jul.
Bella Fighetta 50-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 9l behind First Service (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Cullybackey (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 20l behind Dancing Welcome (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Lunaticus Lujain filly out of Steppin Out.
Spinning Bailiwick 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 4l behind Master Lightfoot (9-3) at Lingfield 5f mdn stks (5) pol.
