chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden when edged left entering final furlong, kept on gamely
held up on inner, headway when not much room over 1f out, switched left approaching final furlong, ran on, not reached winner
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
towards rear on outer, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
prominent, effort when hampered approaching final furlong, not recover
behind, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
led, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on until weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, hampered when weakening approaching final furlong
always behind
towards rear, never dangerous
Withdrawn
Nonrunner
A chance is taken with Alugat, whose experience of this course combined with the likelihood of attractive odds being available make his claims marginally more appealing than those of Thoughtsofstardom and Wovoka. A case can also be made for Choysia now that she has shaken off the effects of being jarred up by the fast ground when she was down the field in the Queen Mary Stakes at York. The David Barker-trained filly proved that she has the speed for the minimum trip when she landed a competitive nursery at Haydock at the start of this month. This daughter of Pivotal is respected but her suspect temperament combined with a 5lb higher mark does not make life easy for her today. Wovoka is proving to be a reliable performer for each-way backers, as he has only been out of the money in two of his nine previous outings. This stiff finish will help him today but he does have a bit to prove over the minimum trip. To counter that, he does have the best of the draw on this occasion and he is sure to be popular for that reason alone. Thoughtsofstardom broke his maiden on similar ground at Leicester in July but he has not enjoyed the best of fortune since then. The son of Mind Games also showed his unpleasant side when he unseated Joe Fanning in a similar contest at Musselburgh earlier in the week. He is obviously a bit of a character but does have the ability to go close if Richard Mullen can keep him focused. However, Alugat looks a far more straightforward ride and, from a draw in stall 10, he has an excellent chance of getting into the thick of the action from the off. A previous course and distance winner, Alugat is improving with each run and rates as the best value option, as his determined attitude may prove to be the decisive factor when push comes to shove.
Wovoka (IRE) 5-2fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, hard pressed approaching final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Musical Guest (8-2) at Salisbury 6f 2yo hcp (5) gs.
Grazeon Gold Blend 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, won at Pontefract 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf beating Packing Hero (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Choysia 12-1 (9-2) Hampered start, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside last, ridden out, won at Haydock 5f 2yo hcp (5) gf beating Spirit of Coniston (7-7) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Alugat (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Pulled hard, held up in touch, effort entering final furlong, no extra near finish, 4th of 5, 1 1/2l behind Saxon Saint (8-1) at Newmarket 5f 2yo hcp (4) gs.
Maggies Farm (USA) 9-2 (8-13) Took keen hold behind winner, pushed along halfway, outpaced over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, last of 5, 4 1/2l behind Sleeping Storm (8-9) at Haydock 6f nov fll stk (5) gf.
Greek Secret 9-4fav (9-0) With leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Island Prince (9-0) at Carlisle 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf.
Making Music 13-8fav (8-11) Led, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Niobe (8-11) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf.
Fortress 13-2 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Calypso King (8-13) at Chester 5f 2yo hcp (4) gf.
