soon in touch, not clear run briefly 2f out, edged left over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, not clear run from 2f out until entering final furlong, no chance after
in touch, not much room and lost place 6f out, pushed along over 4f out, not clear run over 1f out or entering final furlong, ran on well once clear to take 4th near finish
in touch, ran wide on bend well over 4f out, led 2f out, soon headed and edged left, weakened well inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden 2f out, always behind
mid-division, switched right well over 2f out, headway 2f out, hard ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
prominent, every chance 2f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, trying to close but not clear run from over 1f out until entering final furlong, stayed on, no impression
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, not much room just inside 3f out, switched right, led well over 1f out, edged right final furlong, ran on
prominent, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, always behind
soon chasing leader, lost 2nd just over 2f out, weakened 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
awkward start, slowly away, always behind
Withdrawn
This looks very competitive on paper but the tentative vote goes to DIAMOND DUCHESS with both Fantastic Strike and Spanish Duke worth noting. The selection does have top weight to carry but she also has the best looking form on offer. She broke her maiden tag at Haydock last month and was not discredited at Salisbury while finishing fifth of 12 running off a 1lb higher mark. She still looks potentially well treated and if running up to her best she is sure to go close. Fantastic Strike will pose as the main danger having improved with race experience. He travels the long journey from the yard of Mark Johnston in Yorkshire and has a realistic rating to run off in his first handicap, so any support in the market should be respected. Spanish Duke has only showed moderate form in three maiden races to date but can be competitive running off a mark of just 66 on his handicap debut. He also comes from the powerful yard of John Dunlop that has a fine strike rate at this Somerset track so is another that warrants plenty of respect. Diamond Duchess has winning form to her name and if able to shrug off the burden of top weight she is sure to give her supporters a good run for their money.
Diamond Duchess (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) In touch, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on same pace under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 5l behind First Cat (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Pebblesonthebeach 8-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Dromore (8-8) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Fantastic Strike (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) With leader, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, dead heat for 2nd post, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Distinctive (8-12) at Redcar 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Queen's Hawk 33-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 15l behind Clarietta (8-13) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Flyinflyout 25-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, moderate effort well over 1f out, 8th of 12, 11l behind Lucky Rave (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Aug.
Spanish Duke (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Keen, in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 8l behind Come On Safari (9-0) at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Timelord (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division on outside, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Gold Fix (9-1) at Epsom Downs 7f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Ginger Grey (IRE) 33-1 (7-6) Behind, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 7l behind Red Badge (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Argyll 25-1 (8-11) Pulled hard, close up on inner, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, 10th of 12, 14l behind Lucky Rave (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Aug.
Fantastic Pick 25-1 (8-12) Always behind, 7th of 10, 19l behind Dick Turpin (9-4) at Salisbury 6f nov med aut stk (5) gd in Jul.
Dancealot Lady (USA) 80-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 7l behind Abriachan (8-13) at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
City Of Rome (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, always behind, 10th of 12, 18l behind Many A Slip (8-9) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Captain Cool (IRE) 12-1 (8-1) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 8l behind Cherry Bee (8-10) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Gulf Punch 66-1 (8-3) In rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Gold Fix (9-1) at Epsom Downs 7f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Musiara 9-1 (8-2) Dwelt, soon in mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 15, 31l behind Ibmab (8-11) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo clm (6) gd in Aug.
Catchanova (IRE) 100-1 (8-11) Held up, switched left over 2f out, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 11, 8l behind Theladyinquestion (8-6) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Aug.
