with leader, ridden over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached winner
keen in mid-division, effort 3f out, soon driven and beaten
held up, driven and weakened 2f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, driven and weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
held up, keen, effort over 3f out, soon driven and weakened
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, headway on outside 3f out, driven to lead over 2f out, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon driven, one pace
This looks another tough race for punters to fathom but we will put forward VOICE COACH as the pick, with Night Hour and Amanda Carter also considered. The selection was a close second behind First Avenue at Warwick last time and although he had disappointed previously, the winner of that race did go on to win the Cambridgeshire. The return to this quicker surface will suit and he sets the standard for the others. Night Hour won this race last year and he confirmed his well-being when he got the better of Birkside at Pontefract last time. We know he goes well here and he has ground conditions to suit so he should go well. Amanda Carter is a course and distance winner but she looks to be high enough in the weights at present and she may have to settle for a place. Realism is from a shrewd yard and is another to consider, but Voice Coach is a class act and he can win again.
Night Hour (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Prominent, driven to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to regain lead close home, won at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug beating Birkside (9-9) by a shd, 15 ran.
Voice Coach (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) In touch, lost place over 5f out, headway 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind First Avenue (8-9) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) sft.
Birkside 12-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride, headway on inside 3f out, soon chasing leaders, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 7l behind Boz (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Amanda Carter 5-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, tracked leader after 1f to 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 9, 10l behind Amanjena (8-7) at Ascot 1m 2f stk 0-90 (3) gf in Sept.
Realism (FR) 100-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, 15th of 21, 14l behind Malt Or Mash (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) gf in Nov.
Hunting Country 11-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, effort 3f out, weakened 1f out, 9th of 18, 12l behind Unshakable (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Prince Sabaah (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Prominent, challenged 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind The Last Drop (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Ella Woodcock (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Always rear division, 10th of 11, 9l behind Expresso Star (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs.
New Beginning (IRE) 150-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Buccellati (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stk (1) gf.
Full Speed (GER) 13-8fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 29l behind Tri Nations (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Times Vital (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Keen, held up in last place, pushed along 2f out, kept on never nearer, 7th of 12, 8l behind Electrolyser (9-0) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) sft.
Taikoo 12-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 4f out, soon struggling, 5th of 9, 17l behind Merchant of Dubai (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) fbs in Sept.
Barawin (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) In touch and keen, weakened from 3f out, 4th of 5, 24l behind Ella (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 2f fll hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
