held up, headway on outside 3f out, ridden to lead inside final 2f, headed inside final furlong, no extra
in touch, headway when not much room and switched left over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
led for 2f, stayed handy, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, hung left and weakened over 2f out
slowly away and always behind
In a decent juvenile event, Caldra is selected ahead of Middleham and Mesbaah. Third in the Chesham Stakes and then second in a Listed event at Leopardstown, Middleham probably boasts the best form here, a point endorsed by official ratings. Interestingly, though, a stable companion of his just denied Caldra in a Sandown Group 3 event last time. Caldra clearly benefited from the gelding operation he underwent before that run and we expect a good run from him today. The York Group 3 runner-up, Gweebarra, is respected, while Mesbaah showed that he was heading in the right direction courtesy of his Beverley success. Norisan was only a length behind Caldra at Sandown, so he too is respected, while Big Robert's form has worked out well and his chance is no forlorn one. With the other pair having a bit to find on form in order to feature, we return to the selection, which is Caldra.
Big Robert 7-2 (9-3) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, led 2f out, in command final furlong, driven out, won at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Aug beating Regal Flush (9-3) by 2l, 12 ran.
Caldra (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 2f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, took 2nd close home, gaining towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Drumfire (9-0) at Sandown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Gweebarra 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort when short of room over 1f out, switched left, stayed on well, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Big Timer (9-0) at York 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
Mesbaah (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, won at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug beating Emerald Wilderness (9-3) by 6l, 9 ran.
Middleham (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Settled 2nd, challenged and led early straight, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Teofilo (9-1) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jul.
Norisan 15-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, not able to challenge, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Drumfire (9-0) at Sandown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Urban Warrior 22-1 (8-8) Prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 15, 10l behind The Illies (9-1) at Bath 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Part Timer (IRE) 15-8 (9-1) In touch, effort inside last, no extra, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Bazroy (8-8) at Southwell 6f 2yo stk (4) gd.
