slowly into stride, hung left and towards rear throughout
chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on headed near finish
reared start, behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on inside to lead near finish
pushed along towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace
dwelt, always behind
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Premier Prospect, Queue Up and Middle Eastern head the shortlist for our finale with the former our idea of the winner. A beaten favourite in a six furlong handicap at Hamilton, Premier Prospect did not get the run on that occasion but with a smaller field, he should not experience the same problems here. Queue Up has had fewer chances than most. He is officially higher rated by the BHB handicapper than our selection although James Given seems not quite to have found his trip. Middle Eastern was well backed before his most recent racecourse appearance at Wolverhampton. The market is watched. Stylistic was once rated in the middle 70's in Ireland and put up a fair effort in a Leopardstown race earlier in the month. Geordie Dancer put up a career best at Carlisle but would be much better off if this were a handicap. Guadaloup is in receipt of all the allowances and would be a good thing on her Thirsk form. She was unspectacular at Pontefract next time out and may not be the easiest to catch right. Having considered the alternatives - Premier Prospect secures our nomination in the nightcap.
Weakest Link 20-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 17, 6l behind Bluebok (9-8) at Haydock 5f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Art Elegant 20-1 (8-5) Keen, held up, ridden and short of room 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 5l behind Babe Maccool (9-5) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Extra Mark 14-1 (9-3) Uneasy in stalls, slowly into stride, behind, headway inside final 2f, one pace under pressure final furlong, 5th of 12, 2l behind Sweetest Revenge (9-3) at Windsor 5f hcp (5) gs.
Geordie Dancer (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Mill By The Stream (8-10) at Carlisle 6f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Middle Eastern 7-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bens Georgie (8-9) at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn aut (6) pol in Jul.
Premier Prospect (USA) 9-2jt-fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 4l behind Blackheath (9-5) at Hamilton 6f hcp (5) gf.
Queue Up 20-1 (9-0) Prominent centre, ridden 2f out, one pace under pressure final furlong, 4th of 16, 7l behind Daybreak Dancer (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Guadaloup 10-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind African Breeze (8-10) at Pontefract 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
