prominent, effort over 2f out, soon under pressure, weakened approaching final furlong
always in rear
mid-division, hard driven and effort halfway, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon hung right, led entering final furlong, ran on well (no time taken)
in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, never able to challenge
led, challenged over 2f out, soon hard ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never reached winner
A 7lb rise in the weights may not be enough to stop THE GALLOPING SHOE winning again; Tepmokea, Arlequin and Sand Skier may be the three to give him most to do. Formerly trained by Jeremy Noseda, the selection bounced back into the winners' enclosure at Newcastle last time out. That was his first win since 2008 so he may not be the most obvious candidate for back-to-back wins however he still looks fairly treated on a mark of 82 and with conditions in his favour he can go close. Tepmokea was two lengths behind him in the North East last time and is considered with a 7lb pull in the weights, Arelquin ran a blinder at Newmarket last time out and granted a clearer run today may get back to winning ways despite a 3lb rise in the weights, whilst Sand Skier was behind him earlier in the month but has run well twice since and is considered in first-time blinkers. Bonfire Knight was a distant second to Rebel Solider at York but that winner has since prevailed in Group company at Goodwood so his mark of 81 may prove to be generous. Follow The Flag will be suited by the return to a mile but the inexperience of his jockey might be a worry, whilst Fastnet Storm is a formidable front-runner when on song. A typically competitive handicap where the tentative nod is given to The Galloping Shoe.
Kiwi Bay 22-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, some headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 13, 6l behind Capponi (9-2) at York 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Held up in 4th, ridden over 3f out, switched left 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 22l behind Classic Punch (10-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Fastnet Storm (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Raced towards stands side, led that pair, merged with center group 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened 1f out, 14th of 15, 26l behind Suited And Booted (9-6) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
The Galloping Shoe 9-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Tepmokea (9-13) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Tepmokea (IRE) 6-4fav (9-13) Led early, tracked leaders in 3rd, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind The Galloping Shoe (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Arlequin 20-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 19, 1/2l behind Circumvent (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Sand Skier 85-40 (8-12) Led, quickened 3f out, ridden and edging right from 2f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Hanoverian Baron (9-6) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Bonfire Knight 9-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased winner well over 1f out, not pace to challenge, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Rebel Soldier (9-5) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
