went slightly right start, raced keenly, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final 100 yards
held up, headway over 1f out, soon not quicken, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble winner
slowly into stride, in rear, switched right and headway on outside 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong until no extra towards finish
always prominent, led over 1f out, ran on well, pushed out, comfortably
tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, ran on final 100 yards
led 1f, prominent, ridden and beaten over 1f out
NORTHERN EMPIRE ran his best race since joining his current yard last time and may be able to take advantage of his current mark. Step It Up and Black Moma are amongst the dangers. The selection has always enjoyed more success on artificial surfaces but he does handle these conditions and is dangerously well handicapped. He showed clear signs of returning to form at Nottingham when finishing strongly in a race where he was denied a clear run and he looks ready to strike. The market suggested that Black Moma was ready to strike ahead of her latest outing but the support proved in vain as she could only come home in sixth but she's also well handicapped and clearly deemed to be back in form. Step It Up went close at Sandown from a 4lb higher mark and is preferred by Pat Cosgrave which is no great surprise on the back of that effort but he's still without a win on turf. Cape Royal is capable of popping up, Malapropism should be a player at this level whilst Magical Speedfit is slipping down the weights and hasn't been beaten too far the last twice but it's to Northern Empire that we look for the winner.
Cape Royal 6-1 (9-4) Quickly away, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 14, 5l behind Tagula Night (9-5) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Magical Speedfit (IRE) 40-1 (9-6) Towards rear, effort on wide outside over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Tagula Night (9-5) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Northern Empire (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Slowly away, behind, not clear run switched left to outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Guto (8-8) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Step It Up (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, led inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 12, ns behind Royal Intruder (9-3) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Malapropism 11-1 (8-12) Prominent on rail in chasing group, edging left when not much room over 1f out, weakened soon after and eased, last of 12, 13l behind Sister Clement (8-10) at Newbury 5f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Jul.
Black Moma (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Raced stands side, tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 17, 5l behind Lithaam (8-10) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-55 (6) gd.
