tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led 1f, tracked leading pair, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
with leader, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
led after 1f, set steady gallop, ridden and quickened pace 2f otu, headed 1f out, kept on same pace
in rear but in touch, effort and hung right over 1f out, found little inside final furlong
In the finale, Northern Jem is nominated ahead of Samsons Son and Surrey Spinner. Having run well when second to Monte Alto over course and distance two runs ago, Northern Jem did not really get the run of things at Beverley last time and, if you can firgive her that, she looks to hold every chance today. Having shown promise in the spring, Surrey Spinner has been disappointing in his last two runs but first-time blinkers could help things along. Samsons Son made late gains at Goodwood last time and, in the circumstances, it was a fair run and, from the same mark today, he is not ruled out, but Wait For The Light was well beaten at Haydock last time and has something to prove now. John Dunlop's Mutadarrej also has something to prove at present while, finally, Spiderback could go well dropped back in trip from most recent Turf runs, although he does not look to be a straightforward ride. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Northern Jem.
Surrey Spinner 12-1 (9-6) Led until headed 4f out, weakened from 3f out, tailed off, 9th of 10, 35l behind Pippa Greene (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Samsons Son 12-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 13, 4l behind Caravel (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Wait For The Light 8-1 (8-9) In touch and keen, pushed along over 5f out, weakened and eased over 2f out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Eradicate (9-7) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Mutadarrej (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, joined leader over 5f out, ridden 3f out, wandered and weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 24l behind Horseford Hill (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Spiderback (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Held up in rear, ridden and hung right 2f out, never reached leaders, 5th of 9, 5l behind Coeur de Lionne (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcap (3) pol.
Northern Jem 7-4fav (9-5) Prominent, ridden along over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 6l behind Ahlawy (8-9) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.