led set slow pace, headed 6f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
very slowly away, always tailed off
behind, stayed on from 2f out, nearest finish
in touch, ridden along 4f out, headway 2f out to chase leader, no extra inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden along well over 3f out, headway inside final furlong to lead close home
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, kept on final furlong to take 4th
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden along 2f out, weakened and headed close home
in touch, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
keen in mid-division, rapid headway to lead 6f out, soon clear, weakened when headed 3f out, soon behind
The shortlist contains Bendarshaan, Malarkey, Mersey Sound and Mumbling, with the vote going to Malarkey. Much as this is his thirteenth race of the season, Bendarshaan looked pretty fresh when scoring at Newcastle last time over two miles and, still on a decent mark given his best efforts, he looks set to go well today. However, Malarkey is now five pounds below the mark from which he won at Thirsk in April and, having run a decent race at Yarmouth last time, is very much respected and gets the vote. Mumbling is also respected and he runs from the same mark as when scoring at Newbury in June. Mersey Sounds' Newmarket fourth behind Empangeni, who has won since from a higher mark, brings him into things, while Darn Good won this race last year from an eight-pounds higher mark. Much as this year's efforts have been modest, he can't be ruled out if returning to form. Lord Nellson stays well and won a Chepstow maiden handicap off today's mark in August and Top Trees is only a pound below the mark from which he won at Sandown last summer, although recent form leads us to return again to the selection, which is Malarkey.
Bendarshaan 4-6fav (10-0) Made all, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) gd beating Considine (8-13) by a shd, 4 ran.
Malarkey 10-1 (8-13) Keen in touch, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f, 4th of 8, 4l behind Garden Society (9-7) at Yarmouth 2m hcp (3) gf.
