in touch, headway on outside to track leader 3f out, led 2f out and kicked on, held on well when strongly pressed inside final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out to 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, headway on outside to chase leaders 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened and eased when no chance final furlong, tailed off
chased leaders in 4th, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
tracked leader to 5f out, remained handy, chased winner inside final 2f, driven and strong challenge inside final furlong, always just held
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leading pair and hung right approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong
The hat-trick seeking Birkside gets the vote to win again here with Factual Lad and Colinca's Lad making it to the shortlist. The selection was cleverly handled last time out by Jamie Spencer and whilst his wins have come in weak races, he is full of confidence and with conditions to suit, a 6lb rise in the weights may not be enough to stop him winning again. If any horse is to take advantage of a slip up from Birkside, it may be Factual Lad. Rod Millman's gelding knows how to win and wasn't beaten far on his seasonal reappearance. If improving for that run, he must rate a very live danger, along with last-time-out winner Colinca's Lad. He was well-handled on that day by today's capable jump and flat jockey Paddy McDonald; don't rule out another bold show. Nicomedia seems to have gone off the boil since two wins in the Spring and may now be too high in the weights, whilst at a price Kavachi may well reach the places once again. Birkside comes here in good form and is fancied to record another victory.
Birkside 7-2 (9-1) Held up last, headway 2f out, closed to challenge inside final furlong, pushed along to lead final 100 yards, always holding on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Wicked Daze (9-7) by a hd, 8 ran.
Kavachi (IRE) 9-2 (7-11) Held up, headway when badly hampered over 1f out, not recover, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Night Cru (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Factual Lad 17-2 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, weakened quickly, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Sawwaah (9-7) at Brighton 1m 2f hcap (6) gf.
Colinca's Lad (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Awkward start, soon held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on well, won at Newmarket 1m app hcp (5) gd beating Silent Applause (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Nicomedia (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 16l behind Magic Echo (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gf.
Titus Lumpus (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Broke well and led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 8l behind Nan Jan (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Lap of Honour (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 10l behind Yes One (9-6) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Rustic Gold 20-1 (8-5) Dwelt, soon in touch, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Ballet Boy (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
