chased leader, led after 2f, headed over 2f out, soon beaten
held up, in touch, headway and switched left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, took narrow lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leaders, challenged from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not troubled winner
led for 2f, remained close up, every chance well over 1f out, no extra final furlong
pulled hard, held up, edged right 1f out, never troubled leaders
Nonrunner
Councellor frustrated us earlier in the week but we give him one final chance with Transvestite and She's My Outsider offered up as plausible alternatives. A few observers suggested that he might lack the qualities required for a battle but he has come up against two progressive types in his last two races and there does not appear to be anything that progressive here. Transvestite has begun to look exposed at all levels and is opposed. She's My Outsider did not appear to get the cleanest of runs at Brighton but had shown improved form at Salisbury beforehand. The market is watched. Lay A Whisper represents a jockey-trainer combination with an exceptionally high strike rate this season. Third to Strawberry Leaf in a maiden at Haydock, there are no excuses here. Rain Stops Play appears to have shown better form with cut in the ground while the well-bred Kingsholm has shown little to write home about this term. Mr Aitch is dropped back in trip and watched accordingly in the market. Councellor is given a chance to redeem himself in our finale.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Mid-division, driven along when hampered and not much room over 2f out, not recover and eased final furlong, last of 8, well behind Breaking Shadow (8-5) at York 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
She's My Outsider 25-1 (8-13) Towards rear, progress on inside from 2f out, one pace, 8th of 15, 4l behind Song of Vala (9-1) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Transvestite (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Chased leader, led 6f out, headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 16l behind Alfie Noakes (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Kingsholm 50-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, pushed along on outside 3f out, well behind final 2f, 12th of 13, 11l behind High Dyke (9-0) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Lay A Whisper 4-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, pushed along 5f out, never near leaders, 9th of 13, 16l behind Dance Partner (9-4) at Newbury 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Councellor (FR) 7-4fav (9-0) Pulled early and chased leaders, challenged on bit 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, found nil and headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 15, nk behind Cross My Mind (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Mr Aitch (IRE) 15-2 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Azizam (9-9) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn hcp (5) gf.
Resistance Heroine 25-1 (9-4) Raced far side, never troubled leaders, 13th of 18, 17l behind La Bella Grande (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
