tracked leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on to lead final strides
led, headed narrowly halfway, ridden to lead again entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong
dwelt, in rear, headway to track leading pair over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, headed final strides
tracked leader after 1f, led narrowly halfway, ridden and headed entering final furlong, soon weakened
in rear, ridden halfway, no impression
in rear, ridden halfway, no impression
THOUGHTSOFSTARDOM can land the finale ahead of Wreningham and Tiger Trail, with Sherjawy the only other to make real appeal. Our selection ran well behind Rough Rock last time (runs 17:30) but should do better now stepping back to five furlongs as all 15 of his career successes have come over the minimum trip. He's better on the all-weather but that's reflected in his mark and he does appear to like quick ground which he should get. Despite the fact this race lacks depth there are three very live threats, headed by Wreningham. Stuart Williams' charge ran well off 2lbs lower last time and will be better suited by this smaller field, one that may allow him to dominate as he likes to do. The gelding should run his race alongside Sherjawy, although this one may well be better over six furlongs and will need a proper gallop to score. Tiger Trail is the other to consider as he's only 1lb higher than when beaten a short-head at the back end of 2009, the concern being he tends to improve for a run. Mandhooma showed a bit more last time but was still well held and with the rest looking unlikely winners we'll give the vote to Thoughtsofstardom.
Sherjawy (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Tracked clear leader, ridden halfway, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 7, 4l behind Imperial Guest (9-4) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Wreningham 9-2fav (8-9) Always prominent, slightly impeded as winner hung across him over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on, 2nd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Ridley Didley (8-11) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Tiger Trail (GER) 7-1 (8-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon every chance, no extra final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Even Bolder (9-0) at Goodwood 5f all hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Thoughtsofstardom 5-1 (8-5) Prominent, chased winner halfway, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Micky Mac (9-2) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fm.
Mandhooma 33-1 (8-6) Chased leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 3l behind Cornus (9-2) at Catterick 6f app hcp (6) gf.
Joss Stick 66-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, weakened final furlong, 10th of 14, 7l behind Dancing Welcome (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Thumberlina 100-1 (8-4) Slowly away and always in rear, last of 11, 15l behind Mamlakati (9-2) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
