held up in last pair, niggled along over 4f out, always behind
raced keenly, held up in last pair, progress but edging left over 1f out, no impression
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, hanging right from 6f out, weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led early, soon dropped into mid-division, headway over 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, outpaced by leading pair final furlong
NIGHTJAR is selected to land this three year-old handicap for the Mark Johnston yard; My Aunt Fanny, Decameron and the progressive Deep Winter could well prove the biggest danger in an interesting handicap. Runner-up on his last three starts, there is nothing ungenuine about Nightjar who was stepped up to ten furlongs for the first time on his last start. He was out-pointed by the well-handicapped and now Cambridgeshire bound Prince Kalamoun there but has always shaped as one that would be at his best over 10 furlongs and while there does not look to be anything as progressive and fine-tuned as his conqueror last time lurking in here, My Aunt Fanny back on a quicker surface and around a track she already has proved she acts on looks a big danger. Conditions at Beverley for Andrew Balding's filly were simply too testing and she could not make any ground from behind but she was a duel winner here in mid-summer and with a fast pace likely to materialise, her sharp turn of foot will be put to good use. Decameron failed to handle bottomless conditions at Haydock on his penultimate start and although he showed some promise last time, it was disappointing given the improvement that should still be capable of showing. He appeared short of tactical speed down the straight at Great Leighs as he was produced to win his race so presumably connections feel ten furlongs is what he requires. His Newmarket second in July was a solid effort and he remains a handicapper of some potential. Deep Winter has surged up the ratings as a result of four victories from her last five starts. She will need to step up again though as this represents a step up in class while Bowder Stone faces a stiff task at the weights with My Aunt Fanny. Bazergan looks flattered by his rating owing mainly to smart juvenile form but Nightjar is picked to come home in front.
Bazergan (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, led just over 1f out, drifted right under pressure, stayed on, ridden out, won at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Aug beating Star Rocker (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ramona Chase 8-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Yahrab (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) pol.
Upton Grey (IRE) 7-2fav (8-10) Soon led, prssed from 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 9l behind Siberian Tiger (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcap (2) sft.
Decameron (USA) 2-1fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, led well over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 5th of 14, 5l behind Storm Sir (8-8) at Great Leighs 1m hcap (3) pol.
My Aunt Fanny 4-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Drill Sergeant (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Aug.
Albaqaa 11-2fav (8-11) Mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 18, 7l behind Closertobelieving (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f stk 0-85 (3) sft.
Nightjar (USA) 9-4fav (8-13) Dwelt, prominent after 2f and soon chasing leader, challenged 2f out, outpaced by winner final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Prince Kalamoun (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Deep Winter 4-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, all out, won at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug beating Bajan Parkes (9-9) by a hd, 10 ran.
Bowder Stone (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 16th of 18, 25l behind Closertobelieving (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f stk 0-85 (3) sft.
