tracked leaders, headway to challenge over 2f out, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
made virtually all, hard pressed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong
held up, always behind
held up, always behind, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, never near leaders
tracked winner, lost place over 2f out, soon ridden and onepace, lost 3rd inside final furlong
It is hard to see past DOUBLY GUEST and we will nominate her ahead of the likes of Abstract Folly and Relative Strength. Tim Vaughan's mare was the subject of strong market support before she chased home Ambrose Princess at Lingfield back in July. She has had her problems in the past but she seems to be over them now and she looks to have been found a good opportunity to get her head in front today. Abstract Folly wasn't beaten all that far at Thirsk last time and it is worth noting that his jockey Graham Gibbons does ride this track extremely well. Relative Strength had a valid excuse for being well beaten at Kempton last time as he got caught in a pocket. He has to enter calculations but he has yet to really prove that he sees out this trip. Drussell is not necessarily bred to want this trip but he wasn't stopping on his debut in a maiden at Wolverhampton when he ran out an easy winner. He ran green that day so there should be more to come and if he can improve he could be capable of getting competitive. It can pay to side with Doubly Guest who gets the vote.
Double Banded (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 9l behind Gordonsville (9-1) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Relative Strength (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Tracked leading pair, lost place 4f out, soon slightly hampered, never in race after, 6th of 8, 10l behind Alnwick (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Aug.
Doubly Guest 5-2fav (10-0) Soon in touch, headway to lead over 8f out, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Ambrose Princess (8-13) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Mith Hill 7-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, weakened 2f out, soon eased, 11th of 12, 35l behind Mr Crystal (9-4) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcap (5) gs in Oct.
Don't Stop Me Now (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra in 8th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 22, 7l behind Fictional Account (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp 50-85 gf in Jul.
Drussell (IRE) 5-2 (8-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, went 2nd 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden and drifted left over 1f out, well in command final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Mar beating Jonnie Skull (8-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
Abstract Folly (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Baan (9-7) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Nawamees (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Held up well in rear, never near leaders, 4th of 8, 12l behind Epsom Salts (9-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f ldy hcp (4) gf in Aug.
