tracked leaders, ridden and effort approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
towards rear, some headway under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and effort, kept on inside final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
always behind
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leader, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, headway to lead over 1f out, stayed on well
A tricky affair on paper can go to Kalani Star ahead of Quantica, Drury Lane and Royal Pardon to mention just a few. Kalani Star has to give weight away all round here but the Ian McInnes-trained five-year-old has been most consistent this summer, having reached the frame in seven of his last eight starts, and must surely come good before too long. This class 6 contest on fast ground will suit him much more than his last engagement at Brighton a week ago. That was in very soft ground so he did well to finish third, and this slight drop in grade should ensure that he once again takes a hand in the finish. In contrast to the selection, Quantica prefers cut in the ground so did well to bounce back to winning ways on fast going at Yarmouth last time. He is still well handicapped on his best form and can be involved in the shake-up. Drury Lane caused a shock when gaining his first victory in two years at Ayr the time before last but that may well have been a flash in the pan as he was down the field at Newcastle next time. Royal Pardon has shown improved form of late and is another to consider off his current mark of 54, but the tentative vote goes to Kalani Star.
Kalani Star (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, edged right and no extra, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Border Edge (9-3) at Brighton 7f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Mon Secret (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 8l behind Shifty (9-0) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gd in May.
Sedge (USA) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Colemanstown (11-3) at Southwell 1m amt hcp (6) fbs in Apr.
Drury Lane (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Behind far side, ridden and drifted right over 1f out, never on terms, 10th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Fairgame Man (8-6) at Newcastle 6f app hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Pop Up Again 8-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1l behind Ballycroy Girl (8-7) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Cut Ridge (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Chased leader, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Portmeirion (8-6) at Lingfield 6f fll hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Thornaby Green 9-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Merlins Profit (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Quantica (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Yarmouth 7f hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Pragmatica (8-0) by 3/4l, 11 ran.