Mous Of Men tracked leading pair, eased into lead before 2 out, in command after, ridden out flat
Mexican Pete tracked leader, progress to chase winner 2 out, stayed on but no impression
Shatabdi held up in midfield, not much room bend after 3 out, progress before 2 out, stayed on to go 3rd flat, never able to challenge
Earth Planet held up well in rear, rapid progress before 2 out, went 3rd between last 2, no extra and faded flat
Backbord reminders in last after 3rd, never going well, still struggling at the back after 3 out, ran on after 2 out, nearest finish
Pace Shot held up in rear, progress to chase leaders before 2 out, soon no impression, kept on flat
Glacial Sunset led, headed and steadily faded before 2 out
Full House set off last, well in rear when not much room on bend after 3rd, not fluent 5th, ridden and no progress before 2 out, kept on after
Gabier mostly in midfield, urged along on outer before 2 out, one pace and no impression
Helens Vision with leaders, still close up before 2 out, weakened before last
Salut Saint Cloud tracked leaders, ridden and steadily lost place from 2 out, lame
Tot O´Whiskey tracked leaders, under pressure and lost place before 2 out, beaten after
Magical Legend pressed leader until lost place before 2 out, weakening when mistake last
Rio De Janeiro held up in rear, not much room on bend after 3rd, struggling after 3 out, no chance when blundered 2 out and mistake last
Laustra Bad held up in rear, driven 3 out, no response and behind after
John Forbes held up in rear, progress on outer to midfield when mistake 4th, soon lost place, struggling in rear after 3 out
County Zen mostly in midfield, ridden soon after 3 out, lost place before 2 out, weakened
Analyis of the race
A competitive looking handicap for so late in the season and a massive field, but the market was dominated by the progressive novice Earth Planet, who was heavily backed despite an 11lb rise for his recent improved form in a tongue tie. Earth Planet ran well again under another patient ride, but the combination of top weight on this drying ground in a warmer race proved too much for him, and his headway going to two out was rather laboured. Having jumped the last only about four lengths down, he could make no further ground, but he should be a different proposition when he goes chasing.
MOUS OF MEN won two handicaps for Henrietta Knight this season, but this has to go down as much-improved form again on his second start for David Pipe, as he travelled nicely from the start, racing bang in touch on the inside, and he was soon in command after being sent to the front two out. He stayed on strongly up the run-in and ought to get further when switched to fences next season. He could take highish rank.
Mexican Pete is too consistent for his own good and keeps creeping up the handicap without winning. He, too, was in close touch from the start and, though the winner was too good for him, this was probably the best run of his career. Unfortunately, he will probably go up another pound or two.
Backbord ran an extraordinary race in the first-time blinkers, which he seemed to resent. He was at the back of the field getting reminders with a circuit to go, and was still there under strong pressure at the end of the back straight. However, once in line for home his attitude changed, and he flew through the closing stages to take a respectable fifth. He looked very genuine earlier this season, but he has had some hard races.
Pace Shot, another in first-time blinkers, stayed on under strong pressure and ran respectably, ahead of long-timeleader Glacial Sunset and Full House. The last-named was far from disgraced on this first run in six months, as he got shuffled back on the inside rounding the bend after the stables but made headway into a decent position going to two out beforelack of a recent race appeared to tell on him. This should set him up for the long-distance Flat handicaps, and he will resume on a mark only 3lb higher than when winning the Ascot Stakes last year.
*Paul Moloney reported that Rio De Janeiro was unsuited by the going. [GD]
Tote
Tote Win: 17
Tote place (1): 3.7
Tote place (2): 1.9
Tote place (3): 5.4
Tote place (4): 1.7
Exacta: 123.1
CSF: 111.5
Total SP: 129
Further Information
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