tracked leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, soon every chance, ridden 1f out, kept on final furlong, always held
held up behind, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never reached leaders
mid-division, outpaced 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, no impression
made all, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong
in touch on inside, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never reached leaders
held up in rear, headway on outside 2f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
raced keenly in touch, outpaced over 2f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, driven and lost place 2f out, never on terms
close up on outside, tracked leader 6f out, lost place inside final 2f, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
pulled hard, tracked leader to 6f out, in touch, outpaced 2f out, weakened 1f out
Effervesce has claims but her price is unlikely to offer much in the way of value and we prefer LAYLA'S LEXI, with Lord Raglan best of the remainder. Our selection won over course and distance on her penultimate start before possibly resenting the lack of pace when upped in grade here last time. Some might argue that effort showed she's now in the grip of the handicapper but she's lightly-raced and our opinion is that this contest is far less competitive, so we're prepared to give her another chance. Effervesce had little excuse at Pontefract last time, other than perhaps not quite getting home, but she needs to show more to be of serious interest with the yard not in the best of form. Sir Michael Stoute's filly is bred to be a good deal better than these and is drawn well but there might be some mileage in taking her on. Lord Raglan won a Nottingham handicap off 62 earlier this year and, having taken a fine second last time behind a subsequent winner, is now 8lbs higher. Given the obvious strength of that form the weight rise is less of a concern than the trip as he's unproven beyond a mile, but this isn't much of a stamina test and he can run well. Ice Viking represents an emerging operation and deserves to get his head in front after a run of seconds but the handicapper is keeping up with him, Raktiman is an unexposed maiden representing a locally-based operation while Dane Cottage is handicapped to the hilt. This is a tight handicap but Layla's Lexi is worth another chance.
Effervesce (IRE) 11-4fav (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, carried head high over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Umverti (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 4f flls hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Layla's Lexi 5-2 (8-10) In touch in rear, wide and effort to press leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 6l behind Cultivar (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Brooklands Bay (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out, last of 5, well behind Comedy Act (8-12) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Lord Raglan (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, joined over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Don't Call Me (9-4) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Faith Jicaro (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Tracked winner until over 2f out, ridden and weakened 1f out, 5th of 7, 16l behind Sandy Shaw (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f fll hcp (5) fm in Jul.
Ice Viking (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in touch, improved over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out until edged left inside final furlong, held after, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Think Its All Over (9-9) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Takajan (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd close home, no iompression, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Zubova (8-7) at Southwell 1m 3yo clm stks (5) fbs in Jul.
Raktiman (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) In rear, headway on outer over 3f out, hung left 2f out, kept on, one pace, 3rd of 7, 9l behind If I Were A Boy (8-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Dane Cottage 4-1 (8-6) Raced in 3rd throughout, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, 3rd of 4, 8l behind Fastback (10-0) at Bath 1m 2f flls hcp 0-75 (5) fm in Jul.
North Shadow 25-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Pintura (9-9) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
