pulled hard in mid-division, chased leaders over 1f out, no impression until ran on well inside final furlong and gaining towards finish
in touch, effort 2f out, unable to quicken and one pace from over 1f out
started slowly, always in rear until stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
tracked leader, led just over 2f out, pressed final furlong, held on well final 50 yards
held up behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
held up in touch until weakened 2f out
prominent, chased winner over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, always held final 50 yards
held up towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
mid-division, ridden 3f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on well final 75 yards
raced on outer, held up, effort inside final 2f, no extra and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, not reached leaders
chased leaders, short lived effort 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out
soon outpaced in rear, held up over 3f out
led to just over 2f out, weakened rapidly
A tricky race for punters to sort through but Witchry is nominated ahead of White Bear and Graze On. Witchry has had bits and pieces of form for Michael Jarvis but unfortunately this did not escape the handicapper. He will struggle to win off marks of 81 so the decision to go to claimers was academic. This is his first run for Tony Newcombe and a bold show can be expected in spite of an unfavourable draw. White Bear is another who has struggled with the handicapper. He does at least have experience of what is a racecourse with many nuances but whether he will be quick enough is another matter. Graze On has few complaints about the draw. He was far from disgraced in a Carlisle handicap over six furlongs and Eddie Ahern has been booked this afternoon. Casterossa has not quite got home over six furlongs of late but she is better than her modest record suggests. Hughie Morrison has had a 25% strike rate in recent weeks and this is not a strong contest in spite of the numbers. Island Swing is yet to win over six furlongs but is in good heart. Goldhill Prince has plenty of early pace and has been tried with a first time visor. Canary Island has failed to build upon a juvenile success at Lingfield and is dropped in grade. The market will certainly make revealing reading and we will side with Witchry.
Canary Island (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 13l behind Green Manalishi (9-6) at Newbury 5f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Witchry 40-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 12, 13l behind Angel Sprints (9-4) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Dr Zalo 50-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Mr Aitch (9-3) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp (5) frm in Sept.
Graze On 33-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden halfway, no extra approaching final furlong, 7th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Bo McGinty (9-0) at Carlisle 6f hcp (4) gf in Sept.
White Bear (FR) 6-1 (8-8) In touch, effort 2f out, weakened, 4th of 8, 5l behind Casemate (9-1) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Alvarinho Lady 50-1 (9-0) Always in rear, last of 14, 28l behind Firenze (9-11) at Leicester 6f fll hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Casterossa 20-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 4l behind Summer Recluse (8-11) at Warwick 5f hcp (6) gd in Sept.
Smokincanon 13-8fav (8-11) Chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Story of One (8-11) at Lingfield 5f 2yo sll (G) pol in May '04.
