held up mid-division, effort over 2f out, kept on final furlong
led for 2f, ridden 3f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, never dangerous
slowly into stride, held up wide, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
close up, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, headed close home
slowly away, always behind
led after 2f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, hard ridden inside final furlong, led close home
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong
held up behind, headway over 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, one pace and no impression
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
held up and keen, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, nearest at finish
always towards rear
Sam's Secret gets the call here ahead of Neon Blue, Mrs Moh and No Grouse. Despite being a maiden, Sam's Secret has not been overfaced in racing terms and certainly gives the impression that he can win from his current mark. Also, he is now eight pounds better off for the three-quarters-of-a-length he finished behind Neon Blue when they met recently (Pax is ten pounds better off for three-and-three-quarter lengths), so he holds a solid shout on that basis. No Grouse is just a pound below a winning mark and, even though he has to put a couple of indifferent runs behind him, he has a right to be considered competitive in this tricky affair. Mrs Moh remains well-weighted based on last autumn's form, so she goes well at this time of year and is respected, while Ballycroy Girl and Bandos have proved in the past that they like it here so cannot be ruled out of good runs. Dancing Deano ran a fair race last time and now steps up in trip, while Hazewind is certainly capable of running well from today's mark. However, we will side with Sam's Secret.
Neon Blue 7-2fav (8-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at York 7f hcp (5) gf beating Sam's Secret (8-6) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Mrs Moh (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Kabis Amigos (9-0) at Ripon 1m clm (5) gf in Aug.
No Grouse 13-2 (9-2) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, 9l behind Into The Breeze (9-8) at Chester 7f app hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Bessemer (JPN) 14-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Councellor (9-1) at Epsom 7f hcp (5) gd.
Pax 14-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 18, 4l behind Neon Blue (8-3) at York 7f hcp (5) gf.
Zhitomir 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders far side, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Passion Fruit (8-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Locombe Hill (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place over 2f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out, last of 16, 27l behind Slavonic (9-1) at Thirsk 1m sll (5) gf.
Zanjeer 4-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, hampered 4f out, effort when not clear run 2f out, switched and stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 8, 3/4l behind The Bonus King (9-0) at Carlisle 7f stk 0-65 (5) gf in Aug.
Indian Spark 20-1 (8-8) Behind and outpaced, ridden halfway, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Neon Blue (8-1) at Redcar 6f hcp (5) gf.
Bollin Edward 10-3 (9-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 9l behind Zanjeer (9-4) at Carlisle 7f stk 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Colemanstown 9-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Hand Chime (8-3) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol.
Dancing Deano (IRE) 10-1 (7-9) Behind far side, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 13, 6l behind Borderlescott (9-3) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Bandos 14-1 (8-13) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out and one pace after, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Tokewanna (8-0) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (6) gd.
Ballycroy Girl (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Raced stand's side, chased leaders, soon outpaced, never nearer, 6th of 13, 15l behind Pintle (9-8) at Yarmouth 7f fll hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Hazewind 14-1 (9-1) Led for 5f, edged left and weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4l behind Councellor (9-1) at Epsom 7f hcp (5) gd.
Yorkshire Blue 9-2fav (8-6) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 13th of 20, 7l behind Sir Nod (8-7) at York 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Sam's Secret 11-4fav (8-9) Steadied at start, held up towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 12, hd behind Ladeena (8-9) at Redcar 7f mdn stk (5) gd.
