in mid-division, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
chased leaders, not quickened final furlong
soon chased winner, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong
soon crossed to inside rail, made all, shaken up over 1f out, clear approaching final furlong, eased near finish
slowly away and always behind
ridden to hold prominent place on inner, when hampered and hit rail after 1f, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
pulled hard in rear, no real headway final 2f
raced wide towards rear, ran on final furlong, finished well, never nearer
outpaced in rear, stayed on final furlong
in mid-division, ridden and no impression from 2f out
took keen hold early, chased leaders, hung left and kept on final furlong, never dangerous
slowly away, always well in rear, tailed off
After several placed efforts, Alpen Wolf deserves to get his head in front but has been struggling against the handicapper for some time and preference is for Erracht, who gets the verdict over the consistent Byo. The last mentioned has found one too good in each of his last two starts but Mick Quinn's gelding has been raised a further 3lbs since his latest effort and again looks booked for a place at best. Redwood Star is closely matched with Alpen Wolf on running at Goodwood last month and both warrant respect, as do the likes of top weight Esatto and recent Lingfield winner Landing Strip but the vote goes to Erracht. Karl Burke's mare returned to form when finding Madrasee half-a-length too good over course and distance when last seen in August. A reproduction of that effort may suffice for the five-year-old.