chased leaders far side, ridden and edged right over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader far side, driven to lead group over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
prominent stands side, ridden and one pace final 2f
towards rear stands side, never dangerous
chased leader centre group, driven over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders stands side, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
never better than mid-division, raced centre group
made virtually all, raced centre, ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
led far side group, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
always towards rear stands side
chased leaders to halfway stands side
dwelt, soon mid-divison centre, effort halfway, no impression
dwelt and towards rear, switched left and headway halfway to race centre, stayed on final furlong
How's She Cuttin', Howards Princess and Alugat form the shortlist and the chance is taken with Howards Princess. The selection won well at Wolverhampton and having shown some ability on a surface of this nature, there has to be a fair chance of a repeat from today's draw. Hows She Cuttin is much better than banded stakes and she loves the going. The draw is not so great on this occasion and the rider will need to make plenty of use of her. Alugat is at least in-form although an ability to handle the underfoot conditions is taken on trust. Viewforth has proved difficult to catch right in the past. Throw The Dice would have solid claims on some of his earlier form but there has been little for backers to cheer of late. Ashes handles the surface but has shown little sparkle recently. A trappy affair in which Howards Princess receives only the most tentative of votes.
Ashes (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 18, 7l behind Ptarmigan Ridge (8-2) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Sept.
Conjecture 11-1 (9-2) Behind, soon outpaced, driven 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 13th of 21, 6l behind Elkhorn (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sept.
The Leather Wedge (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 21, 4 1/2l behind Elkhorn (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sept.
Colonel Cotton (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 9th of 15, 6l behind George The Best (8-5) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sept.
Viewforth 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders far side, led far side over 1f out, stayed on, no chance with winner stand side, 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Word Perfect (8-12) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sept.
Alugat (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Prominent, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Catterick 5f app hcp (6) gd beating Trick Cyclist (9-0) by 1l, 15 ran.
Howards Princess 8-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden when not much room and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead towards finish, won at W'hampton 5f clm (6) pol beating Special Gold (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
How's She Cuttin' (IRE) 11-4fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead 2f out, kept on until headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Tender Process (9-4) at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp (5) hvy.
