in touch and keen, ridden 3f out, every chance 1f out, edged left and weakened quickly
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, kept on
towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged left under pressure final furlong
slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened 1f out
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, burst through to lead 1f out, ran on
prominent, ridden to chase leaders and kept on from over 1f out
mid-division, headway 3f out, one pace
mid-division, headway 3f out, one pace
led, ridden over 2f out, faded
prominent, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, headway over 3f out, one pace
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
A motley crew go to post, and we will side with the unexposed Allaire ahead of Tahdeed, Corrib and old rogue The Gaikwar. The selection represents Mark Johnston who has his horses in fair form and as he doesn't send many to the track, a big run could be expected. The horse has shown little in three starts to date (apart from a suspect attitude before her last race) hence her mark of 62, perhaps look a tad harsh. However. with her weight-for-age allowance she may just have found a weak race in which to make her handicap debut. The Gaikwar doesn't always put his best foot forward but is capable on his day, as is Imperium but he is arguably better over shorter. Foolish Groom warrants a check in the betting as he has winning course form, along with Alasil. Corrib is generally fairly consistent and looks well handicapped, and along with Libre should be respected. Tahdeed is unexposed but hasn't looked the most straight-forward of horses, however Allaire gets the nomination.
The Gaikwar (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, ran on, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Wrighty Almighty (9-5) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) gf.
Corrib (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Wrighty Almighty (9-5) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) gf.
Imperium 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden halfway, one pace, 6th of 11, 4l behind Quality Street (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
Tahdeed 11-2 (9-1) Slowly away and reluctant, always behind, eased when no chance final 2f, 9th of 10, 12l behind Minaash (8-13) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Libre 8-1 (9-2) In touch and keen, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 15, 4l behind Spunger (9-2) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcap (6) gf.
Isphahan 14-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Wrighty Almighty (9-5) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) gf.
Allaire 14-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 12l behind Double Doors (9-3) at Ripon 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf.
Alasil (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, every chance over 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Hits Only Cash (9-8) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Aug.