mid-division, headway 6f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon chasing winner, stayed on
steadied start, held up towards rear, slipped on bend over 3f out, moderate headway over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leader, keen hold, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, headway under pressure 2f out, never able to challenge
held up mid-division, headway over 5f out, chased winner over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
steadied start, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon lost place
always behind
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
Lady Songbird, Crossbow Creek and Del Mar Sunset look the three to concentrate on here and the vote is given to Lady Songbird. The selection was a beaten favourite last time but she did not have the race run to suit and she came from a long way off the pace to finish a close second behind Oddsmaker. She is a lightly-raced filly and she looks worth staying on the right side of. Crossbow Creek in comparison is pretty exposed and although he won well last time out, he does have a penalty for that success and that might just find him out. Del Mar Sunset was a little disappointing in a handicap at Sandown last time won by Greek Well, but he had previously won well at Newmarket and a reproduction of that effort should give him solid place claims. Pentatonic is an unexposed filly who was only narrowly beaten last time, so she is another that has to be considered. But we are sweet on the chance of Lady Songbird who can get back to winning ways.
Crossbow Creek 12-1 (9-9) Towards rear, headway 2f out, strong run on inside to lead well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcap (4) pol beating Burgundy (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Del Mar Sunset 9-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, not clear run on rails from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 15, 8l behind Greek Well (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f hcap (4) gd in Jun.
Pentatonic 11-4fav (9-10) Held up, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Gold Hush (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Lady Songbird (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on but always held, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Oddsmaker (9-6) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jun.
Rustler 4-1fav (8-11) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, ridden well over 1f out to join leader, led 1f out, ran on well final furlong, won at Bath 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct '05 beating The Gaikwar (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Top Spec (IRE) 17-2 (9-5) Dwelt, soon receovered, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Melvino (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Atlantic Quest (USA) 8-1 (9-10) Soon led, ridden and headed well over 1f out and weakened, 8th of 9, 8l behind Just Bond (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Mahmjra 9-2 (9-5) Led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 32l behind Prelude (8-8) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) hvy.