led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
held up, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous
with leader, weakening when edged left over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
in rear and outpaced
tracked leaders and keen, led briefly entering final furlong, no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden and hampered over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, kept on, no impression
close up, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, kept on well
A number of these are aiming to follow up wins last time out, but the one with most appeal to us is the hat-trick chasing GRIMES FAITH, who we think can benefit from a low draw to get the better of Mandalay King and Bedloe's Island. Kevin Ryan's gelding has had more success on the all-weather than the turf, and his last couple of wins came at Southwell, so he may appreciate any rain that's come. Having said that, he's proved versatile with victories too at Wolverhampton and Bath on firm ground, so we think he'll handle conditions. He's paid his way over the years, and looks to have more to come at this sort of level. Trainer's daughter Amy claims five pounds, so keeping him at a decent weight. Mandalay King is one of four course and distance winners in the field, and previous track success can be important here, but he's got a poor draw to start with. He was a decent winner in a better race at York last time out, but that was his first win in eight outings, and he's yet to regain the consistency of this time last year. Bedloe's Island is one to keep on the right side of, having won on his handicap debut in his seasonal debut last time out at Redcar, although that wasn't a great race. He's clearly trained on well over the winter though, having previously been unplaced. Dandy Nicholls' runners always have to be respected, and he's got the top two here in Buy On The Red and Bonnie Prince Charlie, with seemingly little between them. The market may tell us otherwise. Ruth Carr's got the bottom two, and Redwater River is marginally preferred to Only A Splash, but our selection to win it is Grimes Faith.
Buy On The Red 4-1 (9-9) Pushed along towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 6l behind Secret Venue (8-13) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Bonnie Prince Blue 11-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 15th of 16, 18l behind Mandalay King (8-5) at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Mandalay King (IRE) 11-1 (8-5) Held up, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul beating Haajes (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Real Diamond 7-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced halfway, kept on approaching final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Mullglen (8-9) at Catterick 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
Braille 25-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden over 1f out, weakening when not much room inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 10l behind Select Committee (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Grimes Faith 4-5fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and not clear run and switched left over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, held on well, won at Southwell 5f sell stks (6) fbs in Mar beating Handsinthemist (8-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Istiqdaam 14-1 (8-6) Chased leaders early, soon driven, lost place halfway, 10th of 16, 11l behind Mandalay King (8-5) at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Bedloe's Island (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Held up, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and kept on final furlong, won at Redcar 5f (5) gf in Jun beating Chantilly Jewel (9-8) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Chosen One (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 9th of 19, 8l behind Capone (8-13) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jul.
Ryedane (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, ridden halfway, no impression, 7th of 8, 13l behind Red Cape (9-7) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Only A Splash 7-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakening when slightly hampered over 1f out, 9th of 11, 10l behind Morocchius (8-6) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Redwater River 10-3 (8-11) Led, headed halfway, still every chance over 1f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Downhill Skier (9-7) at Thirsk 6f all hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
