led, ridden along 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside
held up, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, switched left and headway over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
held up behind leaders, effort when not much room 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden along halfway, never dangerous
held up, effort halfway, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden along and headway inner over 1f out, ran on final furlong
Novellen Lad is the selection with Dhhamaan and Another Decree appearing the most obvious opposition. The half-brother to Ellen's Academy appears to have some of that horse's tenaciousness in the pedigree and won his second race on the spin at Haydock. He is still improving and can defy the handicapper again. Dhhamaan was in rude form on the all-weather earlier in the year for Clive Brittain. He has had a small break. Another Decree won a weak Pontefract maiden in fair style. The handicapper has actually dropped him since! Leading Edge ran a fair second to the useful Pavershooz at Ayr and would be a threat if in that mood today. Royal Acclaimation is likely to be on front running duties today. Averoo keeps the cheekpieces that accompanied his recent third at Salisbury. Dancing Maite is no great shakes but his line of form with Master Of Arts at Wolverhampton appears solid in the light of that rival's improvement of late. Novellen Lad has plenty in his favour and can take this en route to better races.
Dhhamaan (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 12l behind Albaqaa (8-12) at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Novellen Lad (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, held on, won at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jun beating Rubirosa (9-2) by a hd, 12 ran.
Leading Edge (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Led until headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 5l behind La Coveta (9-4) at Newbury 7f fll hcp (4) gf.
Another Decree 16-1 (9-3) Held up, pushed along halfway,headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead post, won at Pontefract 6f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May beating Bahamian Kid (9-0) by a shd, 13 ran.
Dancing Maite 14-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 18l behind Irony (9-2) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Royal Acclamation (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra towards line, 4th of 7, 3l behind Dream Express (9-2) at Catterick 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Averoo 10-3 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, switched right final furlong, ran on to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Lord Deevert (8-6) at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Brother Barry (USA) 9-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, eased final furlong, last of 13, 24l behind Brunelleschi (9-7) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Legendary Guest 10-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Tawzeea (9-5) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.