mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, stayed on final furlong
prominent, one pace final furlong
in touch, lost place halfway
mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
led for a furlong, chased leaders, ridden to lead again over 1f out, headed post
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, carried stands side over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden and raced stands side over 2f out, one pace
behind and outpaced, headway over 1f out, kept on to lead post
in touch, ridden halfway, kept on inside final furlong
This looks competitive on paper but we will give the tentative vote to Steel Blue with Bo McGinty and Bowness both worth noting. The selection dropped to a winning mark at Epsom on his penultimate start and had no luck in running at York last time out. He has a high draw that will be a huge advantage with the rain softened so with conditions to suit he must have a live chance of further success. Bo McGinty was a winner back in June over course and distance. Since then he has run some fair races in defeat. He has a good draw this time so he has to be given respect. Bowness won back to back races last year but as a consequence he has found things tough this season. Having said that he has now dropped a few pounds in the ratings so is worth a little look in the betting market. But for the winner we return to Steel Blue.
Bowness 13-2 (9-4) In rear, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 9l behind Kindlelight Debut (9-7) at W'hampton 7f fll hcp (3) pol in Jul.
Caribbean Coral 14-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear on stands' side, some late progress, never a danger, 13th of 24, 5l behind Fantasy Believer (9-2) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-95 (2) gf.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Prominent on stands' side, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 24, 2 1/2l behind Fantasy Believer (9-2) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-95 (2) gf.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Keen, chased leaders, not much room 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind The Jobber (9-1) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Mimi Mouse 15-2 (9-9) Tracked leader, ridden and effort 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Royal Challenge (9-9) at York 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Cashel Mead 16-1 (9-4) Held up behind, headway over 1f out, ran on well to take 3rd close home, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 10, 3l behind The Jobber (9-10) at Newbury 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Steel Blue 10-1 (8-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 5l behind Wyatt Earp (8-8) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Kings College Boy 9-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Blue Maeve (9-1) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.