with leader, ridden 3f out, led over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd post
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out, not much room and stayed on towards finish
in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, challenged inside final furlong, went 2nd post
always in rear
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
CROWN COUNSEL is conceding weight to all but one of his rivals but deserves a change of luck and is well treated on his best form. He was taking on better opposition when only headed inside the final furlong at York 12 days ago. Frog Hollow has proved disappointing this season but Chosen Character has already won three times, though his last two runs suggest he is probably in the handicapper's grip now. Haydock third Lucky Henry must have every chance, however, and is preferred to Cruiser and Sam Sharp, who will probably find at least one too good again at the weights. Veteran West End Lad is the only previous C&D winner in the line-up but usually competes at a much lower level.
Crown Counsel (IRE) 10-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, challenged over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 20, 4l behind Trade Storm (9-1) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Frog Hollow 5-2fav (9-7) Raced centre, mid-division, groups mearged halfway, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Elusive Flame (8-13) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Sam Sharp (USA) 9-2 (9-8) Held up in mid-division, headway on inside over 4f out, ridden when not much room over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Satanic Beat (8-11) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Jul.
Chosen Character (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) Dwelt close up on outer, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Common Touch (9-12) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Mullins Way (USA) 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 9l behind Staff Sergeant (8-13) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in May.
Lucky Henry 9-1 (9-1) Led early, tracked leaders, bumped and squeezed through over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, soon switched right, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Postscript (9-2) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Cruiser 33-1 (9-5) In rear, ridden over 4f out, well beaten final 2f, 19th of 20, 31l behind Uppercut (9-3) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
West End Lad 11-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, faded inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 9l behind Fathsta (9-5) at Beverley 7f clm stks (5) gd in Aug.