in touch, chased leader over 3f out, kept on one pace
held up, steady headway from over 4f out, kept on to take 2nd close home, held by winner
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
steadied start, ridden and some progress over 3f out, edged left and not reach leaders
mid-division, behind final 3f
slowly into stride, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
led, ridden when headed 2f out and weakened
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch and keen, led 2f out, soon clear and ran on
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, not clear run and switched right 2f out, kept on
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A devilishly tricky opener here can go the way of recent winner Down The Brick ahead of Soviet Sceptre, Don'tcallmeginger and Snake Skin. The selection is the only three-year-old in the field and has been improving with every start since the application of blinkers back in May, culminating in a gutsy win at Windsor last time out. Whilst that appears to be very much a run-of-the-mill handicap, he may have more improvement to come with that confidence booster under his belt and he is fancied to follow up. Soviet Sceptre has some ability but Evan Williams' dual-performer is frustrating as he fails to give his best and various headgear have failed to improve matters. Only a tongue-tie remains now but this course and distance winner would be a threat if on his best behaviour. Don'tcallmeginger won with a bit up his sleeve last time out and is likely to be prominent in the betting, especially given the presence of Seb Sanders in the saddle. He has got the hang of things of late so certainly rates the main danger. At a price Snake Skin could go well if putting his rank last effort in the past, whilst General Flumpa is consistent so has place claims at least. A tough opener, and Down The Brick gets the nod.
Snake Skin 11-2 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 19l behind Ravenna (8-0) at Yarmouth 1m 3f fll hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 9-2 (9-11) Prominent, weakened well over 2f out, 11th of 12, 26l behind Share The Feeling (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
General Flumpa 9-2 (8-12) Led over 8f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Danzare (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m 2f app hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Rock Haven (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Held up, saddle slipped over 8f out, never dangerous, 14th of 19, 12l behind Jacaranda (10-8) at Newmarket 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gd in Jul.
Harcourt (USA) 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders over 8f, 12th of 14, 6l behind Sunset Boulevard (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in May.
Soviet Sceptre (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, held, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Drawback (8-13) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) gs in Jun.
Dreams Jewel 66-1 (8-12) In rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Make Haste (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Jul.
Jaufrette 100-1 (9-4) Ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 10l behind Vallemeldee (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Jun.
Don Jose (USA) 14-1 (9-8) Led until headed 4f out, kept on until weakened from well over 1f out, 6th of 11, 11l behind Thorny Mandate (10-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Jul.
Summer Bounty 25-1 (8-13) Behind, stayed on final 2f, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 12, 6l behind Lady Friend (9-9) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jul.
Down The Brick (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Mid-division, headway 3f out, led 2f out, driven out final furlong, won at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul beating Imperial Harry (9-11) by 1l, 13 ran.
Pole Dancer 14-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Our Kes (8-8) at Bath 1m 2f hcap (5) gd in Jun.
Orphina (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 14, 9l behind Seneschal (9-4) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Sharbasia (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, last of 12, 38l behind Winged d'Argent (11-5) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcap (4) sft in Jul.
Blushing Light (USA) 12-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Majehar (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jul.
Don'tcallmeginger (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-6) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven out final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul beating Sporting Gesture (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lytham (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Held up, good headway from over 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, soon led, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jul beating Slavonic Lake (8-10) by 3l, 13 ran.
