mid-division, headway over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong
with leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out
slowly into stride, always towards rear
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders to over 6f out
held up, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
This is quite competitive for a claimer and the vote is given to Ionian Spring with Cardinal Venture and Hawkit the main dangers. The selection is a course and distance winner and he proved his well-being with a decent effort at Windsor when fourth behind Ballybeg. The third home that day Unique Moment has given the form a boost by coming out and winning and with the useful David Nolan in the plate he should go close. Cardinal Venture brought up the rear at York on his last run but he should be suited by this drop in trip and he is capable of getting competitive if he is on a going day. Hawkit won well at Ayr last time but he is probably better over a long trip and for that reason we will take him on. Nuit Sombre could be interesting if he is given an easy lead but it will be difficult for him to dictate from the front from stall 7. With this in mind we will stick with Ionian Spring as our choice to lead them home.
Hawkit (USA) 11-2 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Ayr 1m 1f hcap (5) gd in Jun beating Middlemarch (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cardinal Venture (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 14, 40l behind Blue Spinnaker (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcap (2) gs in May.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 13-8fav (10-0) Made all, clear halfway, driven final 2f, tired inside final furlong, all out, won at Brighton 1m app clm (6) frm in Jun beating Croft (8-6) by 1l, 8 ran.
Hillhall (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway after 3f, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 8l behind Lake Wakatipu (9-4) at Chester 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Ionian Spring (IRE) 9-4 (9-11) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway over 3f out, chased leading pair over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Ballybeg (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f clm (5) gf in Jun.
Nashaab (USA) 25-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 16th of 17, 11l behind Topatoo (9-2) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Vale de Lobo 11-2 (8-7) Towards rear, headway to lead over 9f out, headed 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 4th of 6, 5l behind Ceiriog Valley (8-1) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Secretary General (IRE) 9-2 (9-13) Slowly into stride, headway to mid-division after 2f, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, stayed under pressure final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Snowed Under (9-5) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
