slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, ridden along over 2f out, headway on inner over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong
prominent, pushed along halfway, driven and one pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
held up, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leader, led over 1f out, kept on final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, driven over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, squeezed for room and hampered inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always rear division
A tough handicap and Il Castagno could post a shock at the expense of Crocodile Bay and King Harson. The selection has struggled somewhat for form this season but the perennial front-runner has a chance to secure a good position from this afternoon's middle draw and can give another winner to the in-form Tom Eaves. Crocodile Bay appears to handle any surface. He is perfectly able although his hold-up tactics aren't necessarily conducive to this circuit. King Harson is a consistent sort who is always dangerous if breaking well from the gate. He finished behind Nuit Sombre when the pair met over course and distance but is weighted to reverse form. The pair finishing well ahead of Flying Valentino. Balakiref probably needs plenty of rain in order to show his true form. Prince Namid has failed to progress as anticipated and is tried over this longer trip, as is Bel Cantor. Imperial Echo has a modest draw but is nevertheless watched in the market as David Barron's stable are in much better form than they were. Viva Volta looks best of the rest. Plenty of possibles on view and Il Castagno is given the nod.
Balakiref 11-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Commando Scott (9-7) at Ayr 7f hcap (3) gs in Sept.
Imperial Echo (USA) 33-1 (8-6) In rear, never near leaders, 14th of 26, 8l behind Damika (9-0) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft.
Il Castagno (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Led, ridden along over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 19, 2 1/2l behind Fragrancy (9-4) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd.
Coleorton Dancer 17-2 (8-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Ajigolo (9-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Prince Namid 15-2jt-fav (8-12) Chased leaders, hampered 4f out, ridden, soon lost place, 14th of 16, 7l behind Dig Deep (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Crocodile Bay (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Don't Panic (9-2) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Hiccups 8-1 (9-0) Reared start, always behind, 9th of 12, 12l behind Commando Scott (9-7) at Ayr 7f hcap (3) gs in Sept.
Winged Flight (USA) 25-1 (8-6) Chased leaders until weakened over 1f out, 13th of 15, 12l behind Amarna (8-10) at York 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Bel Cantor 8-1 (8-3) Led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 5l behind Dig Deep (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure towards finish, won at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating King Harson (9-0) by a nk, 14 ran.
Viva Volta 25-1 (8-9) Soon chasing leader, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 11, 2l behind Gallantry (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Inaminute (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Prominent stand's side, weakened 2f out, 10th of 15, 17l behind Goodbye (8-12) at Newcastle 7f fll hcp (5) gd.
King Harson 15-2 (9-0) Chased leader, challenged over 1f out, every chance close home, no extra, 2nd of 14, nk behind Nuit Sombre (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Hazelhurst (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Prominent, pushed along halfway, driven, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4l behind Lady Lily (9-6) at Pontefract 6f fll hcp (3) frm in Sept.
Flying Valentino 12-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 14, 2l behind Nuit Sombre (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
