towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders
slowly away, always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
always towards rear
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, bumped entering final furlong, one pace
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
outpaced towards rear, never dangeroous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slow to take hood off, dwelt, soon prominent, effort over 1f out, kept on
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, squeezed through entering final furlong, stayed on well
Nonrunner
In a tricky affair, the vote goes to Sir Sandrovitch ahead of Seafield Towers, Misperon and Musical Fair. As course and distance winners, both Seafield Towers and Sir Sandrovitch should be considered. The latter, in particular, catches the eye, coming into this race on the back of a win, for which he has been raised three pounds. However, Seafield Towers is considered too and will prefer here than to Hamilton, where he raced last time. Misperon ran well at this time last year so could be capable of better, while Times Review might sneak a place, a similar comment applying to Viewforth. La Vie Est Belle maybe needs a touch more help from the grader, but Musical Fair is weighted to win again based on his winning form of May 2004. Champagne Cracker has been beaten twice from his revised mark now, and Trick Cyclist might also have had his measure taken by the handicapper. All of which returns us to course and distance form and decide to stick with Sir Sandrovitch.
Trick Cyclist 7-2fav (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, hung right, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Playful Dane (9-2) at Carlisle 5f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Champagne Cracker 10-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride and always towards rear, 10th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Grigorovitch (8-6) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (3) gf in Aug.
La Vie Est Belle 25-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace and no impression final furlong, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Artie (9-2) at Beverley 5f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Viewforth 7-2 (9-3) Mid-division, headway and effort halfway, one pace final 2f, 4th of 7, 4l behind Effective (9-4) at Carlisle 6f stk 0-70 (5) frm in Jul.
Almaty Express 16-1 (8-1) Led overall stand side, ridden over 1f out, drifted right and headed entering final furlong, soon no impression, 6th of 13, 6l behind Borderlescott (9-3) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Times Review (USA) 11-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Neon Blue (8-1) at Redcar 6f hcp (5) gf.
Missperon (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 8l behind Nistaki (9-1) at Redcar 6f stk 0-65 (5) gd in Aug.
Sir Sandrovitch (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Tracked leader far side, led over 1f out, stayed on, won at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) gf in Aug beating Yorke's Folly (7-7) by 1/2l, 19 ran.
Mytton's Bell (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, driven along from 4f out, led 1f out, all out, won at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol in Aug beating Owed (8-13) by a nk, 8 ran.
Our Little Secret (IRE) 14-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway well over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, nk behind Elvina (8-0) at Thirsk 5f app fll hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Kensington (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Border Edge (9-3) at Brighton 7f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Musical Fair 20-1 (8-4) Always behind far side group, last of 18, 19l behind Reverence (8-6) at Doncaster 5f hcp (4) gs.
Seafield Towers 11-2 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 4l behind Undeterred (9-0) at Hamilton 6f stk 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
