prominent, driven along 3f out, ridden and one pace over 1f out, ran on close home
towards rear, headway on inner over 3f out, never near to challenge
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out and stayed on same pace
mid-division, driven when outpaced 3f out, headway over 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, stayed on
held up, smooth progress to lead 2f out, ridden and quickened over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
towards rear, never on terms
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace
prominent, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leader, driven to lead 3f out, headed 2f out, kept on until weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, chased along over 5f out, never near to challenge
led, headed 3f out, soon beaten
Opposing Sir Mark Prescott in races like this can be an expensive mistake, so a saver option is recommended on Red Opera before considering a further cover bet at an each-way price. With Let It Be edging out Lady Karr and Tight Squeeze as the best alternative. Red Opera, like so many of his stable's runners before him, was always going to struggle over inadequate trips as a juvenile. However, he bolted up off a mark of just 56 when upped to a mile and six furlongs for his seasonal reappearance. He is open to no end of improvement and, even though he is a half-brother to top-class miler Grand Lodge and not an obvious stayer on pedigree, he should have too much in the locker for this bunch of exposed individuals. Tight Squeeze is a tough performer that can make sure they all have concentrate to the line. However, as she has never won beyond a mile and a half and has top weight to contend with, she looks vulnerable today. Lady Karr has a bit more scope over the trip and can go close if she handles the ground. However, Let It Be is a previous course and distance winner and has fewer questions to answer regarding the racing surface. Therefore, Keith Reveley's charge is fancied to give Red Opera the most to do.
Tight Squeeze 5-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Higher State (9-13) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Loop The Loup 10-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 19l behind Empangeni (8-3) at Newmarket 2m hcp (5) gf.
Lady Karr 11-4jt-fav (9-1) Held up behind leaders, driven when outpaced over 4f out, effort over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 10, 6l behind Higher State (9-13) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Typhoon Tilly 11-2 (10-9) Chased leading trio, ridden 3f out, one pace and no impression after, 5th of 10, 13l behind Jake Black (11-1) at York 1m 4f amt hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Let It Be 5-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, headway over 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 13l behind Wing Collar (10-0) at York 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Top Style (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 16l behind Mary Gray (10-4) at Carlisle 1m 6f amt hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Aristi (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Always prominent, led 2f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Aug beating Indian Chase (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Red Opera Evensfav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 6f out, pushed along over 3f out, clear over 1f out, won at Catterick 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Taxman (9-1) by 4l, 6 ran.
