held up, headway 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
with leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon faded
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside last
slowly into stride, chased leaders on outer, weakened final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out on outer, every chance entering final furlong, stayed on, always held towards finish
in rear, kept on from over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish
prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
Nonrunner
THE TATLING is not the force he once was but at this lowly level he should be hard to beat; the list of alternatives is headed by Compton Classic and Godfrey Street. Milton Bradley's 12-year-old wasn't beaten far in a handicap last time out; in fact he hasn't been out of the first four in his last eight races and dropped into this grade he has to rate as the one to beat from his good low draw. Compton Classic is another that has been in decent form in handicap company but this slight drop in trip will not necessarily play to his strengths and on that basis we will take him on. Godfrey Street is a capable performer on his day but he was well beaten in a claimer at Wolverhampton last time and the draw could have been kinder to him. Like For Like is a course and distance winner and she wasn't beaten far last time in a seller at Chepstow. She merits consideration, along with Diane's Choice who is better than she has been showing of late. This looks a good opportunity for The Tatling who should be hard to beat.
The Tatling (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Always prominent, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Whiskey Junction (9-9) at Bath 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fm.
Godfrey Street 12-1 (8-9) Led until over 3f out, ridden and lost 2nd 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 10l behind Desperate Dan (9-0) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (5) pol in Apr.
Nordic Light (USA) 14-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on under pressure towards finish, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Berrymead (9-2) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.
Meikle Barfil 33-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, effort and edged right over 1f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 12l behind Foreign Rhythm (8-10) at Beverley 5f (6) gf in Jun.
The Name Is Frank 10-1 (8-8) Chased winner, ridden 2f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Piazza San Pietro (9-1) at Bath 6f clm stks (5) fm.
Diane's Choice 11-4fav (9-4) In touch, effort towards centre over 2f out, soon every chance until no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 2l behind Joss Stick (9-0) at Brighton 5f (6) gf.
Talamahana 22-1 (8-4) Chased leaders over 2f, 8th of 9, 23l behind Piazza San Pietro (9-1) at Bath 6f clm stks (5) fm.
Like For Like (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Always prominent, led over 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Piazza San Pietro (9-0) at Chepstow 7f 3yo sll (6) gf.
Compton Classic 4-1 (9-3) 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Tudor Prince (8-13) at Kempton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
