Chimed came up short once again when sent off joint-favourite at Newcastle but Cave Diver has improved with every start so far this year and wasn’t beaten far at Newbury. Whitefeathersfall drops back down in class while Schmilsson looks no nearer winning a handicap so a chance is taken on ORIOLE. The Leicester winner was beaten carrying a penalty last time but has plenty of scope handicapping for the first time and may prove good enough.
Whitefeathersfall (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden well over 2f out, ran on one pace, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Garden Oasis (8-12) at Ripon 1m hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Oriole 5-1 (9-8) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Shampion (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f fll stks (5) gf in Aug.
Schmilsson 6-1 (9-5) Dwelt, towards rear, pushed along 3f out, stayed on, never on terms, 7th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Andaleep (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Chimed 2-1jfav (9-8) Prominent, took it up over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no chance with winner thereafter, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Simply Sondheim (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Cave Diver 22-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden along over 2f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace from over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Frantastic (9-11) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
The Menstone Gem (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Prominent on outside, led over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Proud Archi (9-9) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
