led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden well over 2f out, soon lost place
held up, headway on inner over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well
in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, never dangerous
El Dececy didn't need to be at his best when winning a seller at Redcar recently and narrow preference here is for ZABEEL TOWER who is narrowly preferred to Gap Princess. The selection has won at Ayr before and he has a good strike-rate for a fairly modest horse. His most recent win in August came on soft ground but he handles quick ground best of all and racing off a mark just 3lb higher than that Musselburgh success, he looks fairly well-treated. Esoterica was a winner six days ago here at Ayr and he must be considered today but his penalty seems to make life tough, whilst Gap Princess went close last time at Redcar on similar ground to today and she must be considered racing off a 1lb higher mark. Ezdeyaad represents Alan Swinbank and although his strike-rate is not great (1 from 12 runs), any market move for the son of Lemon Drop Kid would look interesting on ground which suits. Similarly any moves for the Scottish trained duo of Jewelled Dagger or Al Wasef would raise an eye-brow or two, whilst My Gacho is starting to look well-handicapped but for very good reason after some lacklustre displays. This looks a tricky race to call but the answer may lie with Zabeel Tower.
Jewelled Dagger (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 13l behind Tanto Faz (8-9) at Ripon 1m 4yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
My Gacho (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened entering final 2f, 14th of 17, 16l behind Evens And Odds (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf in May.
Esoterica (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Ayr 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May beating Sir Royal (9-1) by 1l, 8 ran.
Ezdeyaad (USA) 9-1 (9-4) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Sunnyside Tom (8-10) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Zabeel Tower 12-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 13l behind Sunnyside Tom (8-10) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Gap Princess (IRE) 6-5fav (8-12) Keen early, tracked leaders, switched left and headway 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind Strawberry Moon (9-5) at Redcar 7f flls hcp 0-85 (4) fm in May.
Al Wasef (USA) 12-1 (8-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 16, 7l behind Methaaly (8-13) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in May.
El Dececy (USA) 8-11fav (9-13) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Redcar 7f sell stks (6) gf in May beating King Pin (9-7) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
