held up, under pressure over 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, lost place over 3f out
behind, soon struggling, never dangerous
tracked winner, ridden to challenge over 3f out, lost place well over 1f out
held up, pulled hard, never dangerous
held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, keen hold, headway to join leader 5f out, soon switched to stand side, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish
held up mid-division, pulled hard, effort over 1f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
in touch, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, no extra final furlong
led, keen hold, headed over 3f out, led again over 1f out, ran on
mid-division, lost place over 3f out
held up, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened final furlong
A fair race for the money and Blue Empire is narrowly given the vote ahead of Napoletano and Blue Mistral. Conor Dore's string may not have won too much in recent weeks but the money has been seen in the betting ring and with Eddie Ahern booked today on Blue Empire, there look to be plenty of positives to be gleaned. This looks to be his trip and he can be relied upon to be producing the goods late in the finish. Simon Dow has a good record at Brighton and Napoletano has to be respected. Placed here previously, he has a chance if consenting to put his best foot forward. Blue Mistral advertised the fact that William Knight's stable are in form with a 50/1 surprise last Sunday. If the headgear works for a second time, she cannot be discounted. Wrighty Almighty appreciates fast ground so has to be watched in the market. Prince Valentine has ran some of his better races at this track and is another to consider in spite of somewhat disappearing off the radar of late. Rowan Lodge needs soft going and is opposed. Competitive fare is the name of the game and Blue Empire is our selection.
Murrumbidgee (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, driven 3f out, stayed on final 2f, not pace to reach leaders, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Fantasy Crusader (8-1) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Lady Edge (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 7, 9l behind Purus (10-0) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Blue Mistral (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Steadied start, held up, headway over 3f out, edged left over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Brighton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Moves Goodenough (9-11) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Blue Empire (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Drawback (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcap (6) gf in Jun.
Napoletano (GER) 7-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 14, 14l behind Bucharest (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcap (6) pol.
Foolish Groom 5-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 10l behind Bahhmirage (10-0) at Warwick 1m amt hcp (6) sft in Jun.
Wrighty Almighty (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-9) Chased winner, no impression over 1f out, lost 2nd and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 8l behind Mambazo (9-6) at Kempton 6f app hcp (5) pol.
Goodwood Spirit 15-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 13, 27l behind Zantero (8-8) at Chepstow 7f clm (6) sft in Jun.
Jools 7-1 (8-4) Held up in 5th and well off the pace, driven and no chance final 2f, 5th of 7, 12l behind Veiled Applause (9-2) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Ten To The Dozen 18-1 (11-0) Held up, never near leaders, 14th of 16, 42l behind Bahhmirage (10-0) at Warwick 1m amt hcp (6) sft in Jun.
Dancing Storm 14-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 11, 9l behind Cleide da Silva (9-11) at W'hampton 7f fll hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Straight Gal (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Held up in 5th, ridden 3f out, outpaced and no chance final 2f, 4th of 7, 18l behind Ventura (8-9) at Folkestone 7f mdn aut stk (5) sft in Jun.
Prince Valentine 10-1 (8-11) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 7l behind Blue Mistral (8-10) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Lady Duxyana 12-1 (8-9) Started slowly, soon mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, 4th of 11, 6l behind Furbeseta (9-8) at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (5) pol.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 9-4 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, chased winner in vain final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Surwaki (9-6) at Warwick 1m clm (5) sft.
