always towards rear, never dangerous
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, kept on
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out soon weakened
towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, held close home
led, ridden over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
In quite a tight affair, the vote goes to Cryfield ahead of Pop Up Again, Motu and Montara. Cryfield is more than capable of going well at this type of level and this course and distance winner, who is on a reasonable mark, gets a good mention here, his recent form standing up to inspection in the context of this race. Pop Up Again attracted money at Musselburgh last time and ran fairly well and it could be that this track will suit better, while Montara attracted money at Chepstow last time and looked all over the winner until being outbattled by Jackie Kiely close home. He should go well. A return to his form of this time last year would give Newcorp Lad a big chance, although he comes here on a modest run, while Motu remains capable of running well from a four-pound higher mark than for winning at Folkestone last time. His chance is respected, as is that of Double Ransom, although he too needs to get back to last summer's form. Finally, the best of Didoe's summer form would give her a shout for a place, while Time To Regret is on a winning mark based on October 2004 form. Overall, though, we will opt for Cryfield.
Motu (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Held up last, not clear run inside final 3f, headway and switched right over 1f out, driven to lead close home, won at Folkestone 7f stk (7) gf beating Quincannon (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Newcorp Lad 25-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, driven over 3f out, soon outpaced, 13th of 18, 8l behind Press Express (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 1f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Montara (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Dwelt, soon in touch, led on bit 1f out, edging left and ridden when headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, nk behind Jackie Kiely (9-9) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Cryfield 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 16, 9l behind Slavonic (9-1) at Thirsk 1m sll (5) gf.
Time To Regret 14-1 (9-0) Led 2f, tracked leader, ridden to lead again briefly over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Slavonic (9-1) at Thirsk 1m sll (5) gf.
Didoe 14-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 17, 21l behind Serramanna (8-9) at Warwick 1m 3f app hcp (6) gf.
Double Ransom 16-1 (9-4) Behind, ridden 3f out, kept on final 2f, never dangerous, 7th of 16, 11l behind Darling Deanie (8-12) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Pop Up Again 4-1jt-fav (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Tokewanna (8-0) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (6) gd.