chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on but no extra when headed inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong, pushed out
chased leader, led just inside 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, staying on when no room inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway and not clear over 1f out, no chance after
in touch, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on
In a race where all are exposed, topweight Vortex has plenty going for him and can win, with Pentecost, Wing Commander and St Andrews others to consider. Vortex comes here in cracking form, having gone close in this sort of company throughout the campaign. He sees out a mile well and perhaps found a furlong shorter too quick for him last time when fourth here to Court Masterpiece. He should handle the slower ground well enough if his all weather form is anything to go by, and he looks booked to run a very good race for us here despite his rise in the weights. Pentecost will not be far away. Andrew Balding's charge won on good to soft over a mile at Sandown in July and was not disgraced in Group 3 company over this course and distance next time. He has plenty of solid form under these conditions and will give the selection most to do. Wing Commander is due to go up by 7lb very shortly. He was the decisive winner of a Class B Pontefract handicap on his penultimate start, but flopped under a penalty last time and may find that the extra weight takes its toll again. St Andrews makes most appeal of the others, based on his running with Vortex here last time, but he still has a bit to find at the weights with that rival and a place may be as good as it gets. The selection here then is Vortex.
