chased leaders, close-up and pressed leaders entering final furlong, one pace under pressure
always behind
held up in mid-division, headway on outer 2f out, ran on final furlong
chased leaders to halfway, weakened quickly
in touch on outside, challenge 2f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, kept on well until headed final strides
slowly into stride, never going pace to reach leaders
behind, headway on wide outside over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, never dangerous
led to over 2f out, stayed chasing leader until weakened entering final furlong
chased leaders until weakened final furlong
prominent until weakened over 1f out
with leaders on inside, led over 2f out, hard ridden and headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken toward finish
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway when not clear run and switched right between horses, over 1f out, strong run final furlong and kept on gamely to lead final strides
chased leaders until weakened approaching final furlong
This is the hardest race of the day to solve, and it is with caution that we advise Irma la Douce against the highly-drawn trio of Firework, Alpen Wolf and The Best Yet. The latter was successful in this contest 12 months ago but now lines up a stone and a half higher in the weights. Nevertheless, Tony Newcombe's fast-ground lover is only three pounds higher than when scoring here in July and is one to consider for a place at least. With Mick Channon in great form at present though, Irma La Douce may prove to be the best of his duo. The four-year-old gained her first career victory at the 19th attempt when landing a lowly affair at Carlisle. That was over seven furlongs, so it is interesting that her astute trainer drops her back in distance. She's no world beater, but a follow up may be on the cards before the handicapper closes the door. Firework is still well treated on his best form, and if it was not for his high draw he would be the selection. Brighton specialist Alpen Wolf is in stall 12, and has a good chance of adding to his two successes here. Always rated capable of landing a big handicap throughout his career, he has been a bit expensive to follow of late, but in this company, is a danger to all. Milton Bradley has four entries, the best of whom may be Indian Bazaar, but in a tricky finale, the pin comes down on Irma La Douce.
