soon in touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, held on well towards finish
keen in mid-division, ridden over 4f out, rallied over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
behind, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders and keen, challenged entering final furlong, soon every chance, no extra near finish
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, kept on
steady start, always behind
always towards rear
towards rear, driven along half way, headway over 1f out, one pace, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, always behind, tailed off over 2f out
tracked leaders, weakened 3f out
tracked leader, challenged over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out, tailed off over 2f out
Apache Nation was brought with a well timed run when successful over course and distance last time under Royston Ffrench and has to be respected off just a 3lb higher mark today but he may struggle to give weight away to Taranis on this ground and he is preferred with Never Say Deya rated the best of the rest. The selection has flattered to deceive on a couple of occasions but Sir Mark Prescott's gelding is bred to come into his own under testing conditions and, off his lightweight, he gets the vote. Bond Angel Eyes is gradually slipping to a fair mark and does have form on the soft so cannot be ruled out, while Flashing Floozie is proving to be hard to win with and may be booked for a place at best again. A market move for Rondo would be of interest although a bigger threat is likely to come from recent Brighton second Never Say Deya. Taranis should improve for racing on a soft surface for the first time though and he looks worth another chance today.
Apache Nation (IRE) 13-2 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led entering final furlong, driven out, won at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs beating Petross (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Rondo 12-1 (8-10) Raced stands side, chased leaders, led stand side group 1f out, no chance with far side, 6th of 13, 7l behind Welsh Cake (8-11) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Myths And Verses 20-1 (8-6) Steadied start, held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Apache Nation (8-5) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Petross 100-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders and keen, led over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Apache Nation (8-5) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Taranis 3-1fav (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f, 13th of 14, 15l behind Sapphire Storm (8-7) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Baileys Polka 25-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 14l behind Hurry Up Helen (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Never Say Deya 6-1 (8-12) Chased leader, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Bachelor Party (9-3) at Brighton 7f mdn stk (5) gd.
Flashing Floozie 11-1 (8-10) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Sudden Impulse (9-8) at Beverley 1m 2f fll hcp (6) gs in Aug.
