chased leaders, pushed along over 6f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on same pace, not troubled leaders
held up towards rear, headway 4f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish
raced keenly, tracked leader, led 3f out, headed well over 1f out, no extra entering final furlong
pushed along briefly leaving stalls, held up mid-division, slightly outpaced over 2f out, not clear run well over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, soon switched right, ran on to lead towards finish
held up in rear, effort 2f out, never troubled leaders
held up in rear, lost touch over 3f out, soon well behind
led, raced keenly, headed 3f out, regained lead well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong no extra
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
RIQAAB is taken to get back to winning ways here, with Applaude taken as next best in what is not a particularly strong handicap for the track. The selection is by Peintre Celebre and should handle cut in the ground well as a result. Ten furlongs looks to be his optimum trip, and he is in decent form, so we will side with him. Applaude's pedigree suggests that this will not be his ground, though he did manage to make the frame on good to soft on his debut back in June. Alan Swinbank's charge should certainly be effective over this trip and if he does enjoy this much cut then he will go close. Natural Rhythm loves to get his toe in and has got some decent course form under his belt, which is a plus on this track, so from a good pitch he can get heavily involved. Trip and ground also suit Eton Fable, though whether he will cope with this latest mark has to be open to question, and we'll take Riqaab to score.
Eton Fable (IRE) 15-8fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, effort when outpaced over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 9, 3l behind Shaylee (8-4) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Applaude 33-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, challenged 1f out, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Reel Buddy Star (9-2) at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Ballora (FR) 12-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 14l behind Dark Prospect (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Thunderstruck 25-1 (8-9) Always behind, reminders over 6f out, 7th of 9, 21l behind Just Rob (8-13) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Offshore Anna (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Prominent, ridden along 3f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Beautiful Lady (9-2) at Thirsk 1m 4f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Aug.
Bavarian Nordic (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Boy Blue (9-5) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Gaelic Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Prominent, lost place over 2f out, 10th of 15, 21l behind Mawatheeq (9-3) at Newmarket 1m mdn stk (4) gf in Aug.
Natural Rhythm (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Casino Night (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 3yo hcp (6) gs.
Riqaab (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Held up, steady headway over 2f out, stayed to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Bowder Stone (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Taikoo 20-1 (8-10) Always in rear, ridden and struggling 4f out, last of 11, 28l behind Howdigo (8-13) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Make Amends (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression, 8th of 15, 11l behind Liberally (9-8) at Bath 1m fll hcp (5) gs in Aug.