slowly into stride, in rear, headway 3f out, switched right to wide outside over 2f out, running on under pressure, not reached leading pair
mid-division and keen, headway over 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, one pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 2f out, weakened 1f out
made virtually all, ridden over 2f out, fading towards finish
mid-division and keen, ridden over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong
with winner and keen until weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden on inside 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out
slowly into stride, effort over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, not reach winner
mid-division, lost place halfway
Nonrunner
Prince Valentine should feature on every short-list and Batchworth Blaise should also be popular but Night Wolf is weighted to reverse last month's form with that pair and can pounce here. Prince Valentine rarely runs anywhere else these days and landed this race in 2006 but the rise in the weights for last month's win may just find him out. Batchworth Blaise and the selection were about a length and a quarter away that day with the former raised a pound and the selection racing from the same mark. Sean Curran's charge was returning from a long lay-off so may well be able to improve on the bare form providing that he doesn't bounce. The Hoofer has to be of interest given that she has really come to herself of late. She may well prove to be well in here under a penalty as the second home at Sandown was rated around 20lbs her superior and she's sure to take a hike up the weights. It remains to be seen what that form is worth though and we prefer to side with Night Wolf.
Star Strider 33-1 (8-9) Never better than mid-division on stand's side, 9th of 19, 10l behind Oat Cuisine (8-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Moves Goodenough 7-2fav (9-11) In touch, effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 3l behind Prince Valentine (9-0) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul.
Lopinot (IRE) 15-2 (9-12) Dwelt, soon in mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 6l behind Hazytoo (9-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
Prince Valentine 4-1 (9-0) Started slowly, held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, ran on well, won at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul beating Batchworth Blaise (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
The Hoofer (IRE) 6-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, led entering final 3f, ran on strongly final furlong, pushed right out, won at Sandown 1m 3yo clm (5) gf in Jul beating Coole Dodger (8-7) by 2l, 5 ran.
Melt (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 10, 13l behind Glencal (9-11) at Chepstow 7f fll hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Night Wolf (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Led to well over 1f out, kept on under pressure, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Prince Valentine (9-0) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul.
Fairly Honest 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, led 7f out, ridden over 2f out, headed and weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Hester Brook (8-12) at Bath 1m 2f sll (6) frm in Jul.
