led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon under pressure, no extra inside final furlong
always prominent, led well over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
held up in touch, hung right and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, ridden clear, comfortably
held up in touch, chased leaders over 4f out, pushed along well over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
mid-division, weakened 3f out
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, never on terms
towards rear, headway over 5f out, effort over 2f out, soon no impression
steadied in rear, never a factor
held up mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders over 1f out, not pace of winner
behind, never dangerous, detached from over 2f out
broke well, chased leaders early, soon lost place, never dangerous
This looks a good race for an amateur riders contest with plenty of these on form but UMVERTI was very impressive last time and has to get the call. Seven lengths easing down was the margin of victory for Neville Bycroft's charge in a similar race last time and the adding of weight and a penalty is unlikely to stop a repeat. Astronomical has been on a progressive run of form and was cosy enough in victory last time to suggest a big run under a revised mark. River Ardeche and Hurricane Thomas both rate as threats with both running well at present but if in the same mood Umverti will be hard to beat.
Umverti 15-2 (10-12) Made all, driven over 2f out, soon clear, eased towards finish, comfortably, won at Pontefract 1m 2f am hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Avitus (10-1) by 7l, 8 ran.
River Ardeche 7-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out to chase leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased winner well inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind High Resolution (8-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jul.
Daytime Dreamer (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out until over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Ballade De La Mer (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 5f am hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 3-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, led over 2f out, soon ridden, caught close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Daytime Dreamer (9-10) at Catterick 1m 4f app hcp (6) gs in Jul.
Astronomical (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul beating Dazzling Begum (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Hurricane Thomas (IRE) 11-4 (10-5) Led 3f, close up, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Ballade De La Mer (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 5f am hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Night Knight (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon under pressure, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 5l behind Eijaaz (9-5) at Redcar 1m 2f clm stks (6) fm in Jul.
Tropical Duke (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 17l behind King's Counsel (8-4) at Redcar 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Masterofceremonies 14-1 (9-13) Awkward start, held up, headway on inside to 3rd over 4f out until 3f out, weakened soon after, 6th of 8, 20l behind Dashing Doc (10-7) at Brighton 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Dimashq 20-1 (9-5) Steadied start, keen in rear, headway on outside from 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Ballade De La Mer (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 5f am hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Follow On 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, behind final 3f, last of 11, 23l behind Ballade De La Mer (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 5f am hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Airedale Lad (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Chased winner until over 7f out, remained close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 9th of 12, 6l behind Whodunit (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec '08.