dwelt, raced wide in rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
pulled hard, raced wide tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 1f out, effort and edged left inside final furlong, went 2nd briefly when hung left near finish
towards rear, not troubled leaders
made most, ridden 2f out, hung left final furlong, stayed on gamely
keen tracked leaders, ridden and hung right over 2f out, kept on one pace
always in rear
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 1f out, kept on same pace
keen, pressed winner throughout, ridden 2f out, every chance when carried left inside final furlong
Times Up is weighted to confirm form with Bay Willow but the pair might struggle to concede weight to OPERA GAL. Our selection romped home when sent back in to maiden company at Warwick and while that form itself is nothing to get carried away with, her previous fourth off 81 appears solid. The handicapper has dropped her down to a mark of 80 and in receipt of weight from all rivals this improving filly may prove up to the task. Bay Willow has solid form in handicaps and turned a competitive Curragh race into something of a procession, only to find Times Up too strong at Newmarket's July meeting when attempting to repeat the feat. With his new mark kicking in, Mark Johnston's charge is only a pound better off with his conqueror and that should mean the form is repeated. Jamie Spencer's mount appears to relish a stiff finish and acts on anything bar extreme ground, so he's not to be ruled out lightly. Stanstill is a course and distance winner but needs a career best to land this off a rating of 94, so of more interest is Record Breaker who is 9lbs lower than when winning here in September; the yard are flying too. High Office scraped home in a lesser race and can be expected to struggle and Sandor is probably better over 1m2f so best of the rest could well be Ouster, third behind Times Up and Bay Willow having struggled for room two from home. He's weighted to get closer today and has always been well thought of, but we'll return to Opera Gal who can make the most of her feather weight.
Red Merlin (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, took keen hold towards rear, switched outside over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 8th of 14, 13l behind Dangerous Midge (8-10) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4yo+) (2) gf.
Times Up 9-1 (10-0) In touch, headway and soon every chance over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Bay Willow (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Stanstill (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) In touch and keen, headway on inside and not much room over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Overturn (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) gf in Jun.
Sandor 25-1 (8-7) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 5th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Wigmore Hall (8-2) at York 1m 2f hcap (2) gf.
Record Breaker (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Soon tracking leader, led just over 1f out, soon headed, edged right and unable to quicken towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2l behind The Fonz (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Bay Willow (IRE) 11-10fav (9-5) Led after 1f, ridden and pressed from over 2f, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Times Up (10-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Ouster (GER) 9-1 (9-11) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Times Up (10-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Jawaab (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7f out, led 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Peintre D'argent (8-0) at Ascot 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gf.
High Office 6-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun beating Hawaana (9-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Quinsman 25-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 8, 12l behind Speed Dating (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
Opera Gal (IRE) Evensfav (8-9) Made all, ridden clear when hung right over 1f out, stayed on strongly, comfortably, won at Warwick 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gf beating Jewellery (8-9) by 10l, 8 ran.
