slowly into stride and held up towards rear, good headway, chased leaders approaching 3 out, blundered 3 out, ridden and not quicken from 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 6th, headway on inside after 2 out, hard ridden and every chance last, no extra flat
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
led to 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up approaching 2 out
held up last, mistakes 2nd and 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, switched left approaching last, hard ridden and led close home
chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
led after 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, hard ridden from last and headed close home
held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
The vote here goes to Roman Candle ahead of Peruvian Breeze, Atlantis, Kentucky King and Sunset King. Although Roman Candle is six pounds above the mark from which he won over course and distance three runs ago, with a fair three-pound claimer on board he cannot be ruled out in a fairly modest handicap. Peruvian Breeze has been running better in non-sellers of late when tried over longer trips, Given that he is trying today's distance for the first time, he is one to consider. Atlantis was second off this mark over course and distance last December and he can be given a chance on that, although he has not been seen on the track since February, while Kentucky King has been running well of late but it is hard to get a handle on what his best trip is, while Sunset King ran a fair race to be third at Newton Abbot last time so cannot be entirely ruled out. Overall, though, the vote stays with Roman Candle.
Kentucky King (USA) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd and hit 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Master Nimbus (9-11) at Bangor 2m 1f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs in Aug.
Atlantis (HOL) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, no chance when blundered 2 out, 12th of 15, well behind Pretty Star (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Feb.
Peruvian Breeze (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Baawrah (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Aug.
Rumbling Bridge 9-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 12, well behind Red Nose Lady (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Jul.
Roman Candle (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, hit 5th, headway 11th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 10, 22l behind Good Heart (11-5) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Aug.
Sunset King (USA) 16-1 (9-13) Held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Jack Durrance (10-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Aug.
Roscam 8-1 (10-9) Held up, keen, headway after 4th, ridden after 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Court One (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gf in Jun, 13 ran.
Dawn Frolics 66-1 (10-1) Behind, ridden and headway 2 out, kept on flat, 6th of 17, 23l behind Norton Sapphire (10-0) at Worcester 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Aug.
