tracked leader, joined leader over 3f out, ridden and led over 1f out, headed and no extra post
keen, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden and no impression over 2f out, driven, edged right final furlong, ran on to lead post
slowly away, held up, always in rear
mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous
held up, pushed along over 4f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, squeezed at start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong
Cree, Goodwood Spirit and Regal Dream are the three to concentrate on here and the vote is given to Cree. The selection was disappointing last time at Windsor when finishing fourth behind Digital. However, that was over 6f and this step-up to 7f should see him in a better light. He won on this track over 6f on his penultimate start but he needed every yard of the trip to wear down the leader Coconut Squeak. He tries 7f for the first time today and if he gets home, which we think he will, he should take all the beating. Goodwood Spirit ran a fair race when fourth behind Pango over this course and distance on his latest start. He was up against older horses that day so it was a decent effort and he is not without a chance today. Regal Dream is a course and distance winner who has been running well all season. However, he gave the impression that his hectic schedule of summer racing was catching up with him at Wolverhampton last time and for that reason we will take him on. Safsoof is the Godolphin representative here and with the stable in decent form he is not one to dismiss lightly. However, for the winner we are happy to return to Cree.
Safsoof (USA) 10-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 2l behind Dancing Rose (8-13) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Goodwood Spirit 4-1 (8-12) Pulled hard, held up, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Pango (8-13) at Epsom 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Chased leader, led after 2f, headed over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 6, 22l behind Transvestite (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Regal Dream (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Forest of Love (8-11) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Cusoon 20-1 (8-7) Keen hold in touch, driven 3f out, soon behind, 11th of 13, 6l behind Banknote (9-1) at Windsor 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Keep Bacckinhit (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no response, 7th of 10, 15l behind Angel Sprints (9-2) at Goodwood 6f fll hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Alabama Twist 5-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon became unbalanced, no impression, 5th of 7, 5l behind Cree (9-2) at Epsom 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Cree 5-2fav (8-10) Prominent, ridden halfway, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind Digital (9-0) at Windsor 6f stk 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.