held up and behind, ridden and no response 2f out, headway not clear run and switched left over 1f out, kept on towards finish, never nearer
held up in last trio, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, keeping on same pace when not much room over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
held up in 5th, headway on outside chased leaders, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out until inside final furlong, weakened well inside final furlong
chased leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish
led, ridden over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, weakened towards finish
raced keenly, held up in last pair, headway on outside chasing leaders over 1f out, led final 150 yards, stayed on well
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
steadied and went start, took keen hold towards rear, steady headway on inside 3f out, ran on well into 3rd towards finish
chased leader, pushed along over 2f out, edged left 2f out, lost 2nd inside final 2f, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
A very competitive handicap, though Wafy looks to be facing a stiff task under top weight and Lord Vetinari turned in a shocker when favourite at Chester. Mushtaq, George and Global Conqueror are all on a hat-trick and preferred in that order. Plunger was successful over 7f last time at Leicester and Mr Top Hat is very consistent and ran a fine race at Galway at the start of the month. THE EMPEROR WITHIN is still creeping up the handicap but he stays further than this and there should be no lack of pace - he might be the one to pick up the pieces. Statuario was third here last time off today’s mark but needs more.
Wafy (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1l behind National Army (9-2) at Doncaster 1m stks (5) gf in Jun.
George (IRE) 3-1 (9-12) Went left start, held up last, pushed along 3f out, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Salisbury 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug beating King's Slipper (9-1) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Global Conqueror 5-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, pushed along and chased leader after 1f, led and hung left over 1f out, ran on, ridden out, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Jul beating Monadee (9-7) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Mushtaq (IRE) 11-4 (9-9) Pressed leader, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, ran on to lead post, won at Windsor 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug beating George Villiers (9-7) by shd, 5 ran.
Mr Top Hat 12-1 (9-9) Raced in close 2nd, disputed lead 2 1/2f out, headed 2f out, briefly short of room entering straight, soon ridden, 3rd 1f out, disputing 2nd when checked and almost unseated rider inside final furlong, ran on well in 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Espere (9-11) at Galway 1m 1f hcp sft in Aug.
The Emperor Within (FR) 3-1 (9-6) Led, quickened over 3f out, ridden edged left and headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Metatrons Cube (8-8) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Statuario 9-1 (9-6) Led after 1f, headed inside final 2f, carried right over 1f out, soon edged left, lost 2nd 1f out, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 4 3/4l behind History Writer (9-3) at Sandown 1m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Plunger 5-2 (9-10) Unruly at post, dwelt, in rear, driven over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead narrowly inside final 100 yards, held on, won at Leicester 7f hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Garth Rockett (8-10) by nk, 6 ran.
Lord Vetinari 2-1fav (9-6) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, last of 7, 14 3/4l behind Dragons Tail (10-1) at Chester 1m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
