keen in mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
steadied start, never a factor
tracked leaders and keen, went far side over 3f out, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, gradually faded
tracked leaders and keen, ridden and every chance 1f out, one paced
in touch, ridden 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, one paced
mid-division, went far side over 3f out, headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
steadied start and keen, held up, headway from 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, comfortable
A tricky handicap where the spread of weights is high and the shortlist consists of Timber Creek, Castano and Spent with the vote going to the last-named. Despite a less than spectacular strike-rate, Mouse Hamilton-Fairley's son of Averti may still have more to give from this mark of 61. His previous defeat to Space Pirate may receive a boost in the previous race where the latter runs, and proven on ground with cut in he is fancied to run well. Surprise Act is a course and distance winner and has been off the track for three months. He has done nothing since that win back in October of last year but if the market speaks in his favour then take note. Castano has top-weight but has been holding his form well since winning at Salisbury earlier this season; he handles this ground well. Timber creek is fairly consistent but ultimately finds it hard to win, whilst blinkers will need to have the desired effect on the frustrating Paradise Island. A tricky puzzle for punters but we will side with Spent.
Quaglino Way (GR) 12-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 9l behind Flying Applause (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcap (5) gf in Jul.
Dowlleh 40-1 (9-4) In touch, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 12, 17l behind Wisdom's Kiss (9-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Aug.
Surprise Act 16-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, weakening when hampered over 2f out, last of 10, 26l behind Dancing Storm (8-6) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in May.
Out Of Nothing 15-2 (9-4) Behind, headway over 1f out, never reached leaders, 6th of 11, 11l behind Castano (8-13) at Salisbury 7f app hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Timber Creek 14-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Last Sovereign (9-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
Paradise Island (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Track leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 13, 7l behind Anthill (9-8) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Aug.
Spent 5-1fav (9-5) Behind, driven and headway towards inside 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 2l behind Space Pirate (8-10) at Brighton 1m 3yo hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Regal Dream (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 17, 6l behind Boldinor (9-2) at Leicester 6f app hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Croeso Cusan 11-1 (7-10) Mid-division, headway on outside 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken, 3rd of 15, 3/4l behind Space Pirate (8-10) at Brighton 1m 3yo hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Castano 6-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 3f out, soon every chance, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, hd behind Granary (8-11) at Leicester 7f hcap (5) hvy.
