chased leader, led over 3f out until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led until 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon in full command, eased towards finish
chased leaders, lost place over 7f out, struggling and behind final 3f
mid-division, short of room on inside well over 7f out, headway over 6f out, ridden well over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, switched right 1f out, no real progress
mid-division, raced keenly, headway 4f out, lost place over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms
dropped in start, held up, headway 3f out, ridden to go 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner
held up in rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
BLIMEY O'REILLY overcame an 85 day absence to score at Ripon last time in what turned out to be a tactical run affair and considering the improvement that the return should bring about and that the horse in behind had something of an unexposed profile, a 5lb rise does not look overly harsh. The sole three year-old in the field, Blimey O'Reilly has only had the six career outings as opposed to his rivals, the majority of which are regressing or are handicapped to the hilt at this point. Apache Fort and Sir Sandicliffe bring solid recent form into the race and look the biggest dangers. The last named is a regular at this venue but has only the one win from 26 starts. Penang Cinta ran very well at Goodwood on Wednesday and if turned out quickly could well emerge as a big threat to Blimey O'Reilly. Abstract Folly and Mae Cigan are others with place claims but Blimey O'Reilly is selected to send punters home happy.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 40-1 (9-4) Behind, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 18, 10l behind Closertobelieving (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f stk 0-85 (3) sft.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 13-8fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, effort and not much room 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 10, 13l behind Red Wine (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in May.
Turfshuffle (GER) 50-1 (10-0) Led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 7, 27l behind Hits Only Vic (10-0) at Haydock 1m 6f hcap (4) hvy.
Blimey O'Riley (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on final furlong, won at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Aug beating Inchwood (9-6) by 2l, 5 ran.
Prelude 7-1 (11-2) Soon pushed along, not much room after 1f, progressed to lead after 4f, headed over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 12l behind Sand Repeal (10-5) at Chester 1m 4f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Aug.
Apache Fort 12-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out, chased leader 1f out, driven to lead post, won at Newmarket 1m 4f clm (4) gf beating Agente Romano (8-3) by a nk, 11 ran.
Abstract Folly (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Started slowly, behind, headway over 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Let It Be (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Mae Cigan (FR) 14-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong and finished well, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Taikoo (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (4) sft.
Sir Sandicliffe (IRE) 9-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Okafranca (8-0) at Chester 2m hcap (4) gs.
Thorny Mandate 10-3fav (9-4) Held up, headway over 4f out, switched right over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Zalkani (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol.
York Cliff 14-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Fort Churchill (11-2) at Goodwood 1m 3f amt hcp (5) sft.
Penang Cinta 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Shimoni (9-6) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Royal Indulgence 16-1 (9-5) Held up, some progress over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 11, 8l behind Zalkani (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol.