raced on wide outside, held up in rear, ridden and beaten halfway
hung right throughout and never on terms
led, pushed along halfway, soon hung right, headed over 1f out, carried head high, looked reluctant and weakened final furlong
went right start, chased leaders on outside, ridden halfway, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, headway on rails 2f out, led over 1f out, hung right but ran on inside final furlong
chased leader, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
Talbot Avenue, Magic Glade and Classic Encounter are all considered in this handicap and the vote is given to Magic Glade. The selection could not be in better form and he won well last time at Thirsk when getting the better of Moorhouse Lad. He does have a penalty for that success but he has ground conditions to suit and from a fair drawn he has strong claims. Talbot Avenue ran his best race for a while when chasing home Merlin's Dancer at Lingfield last time but he hasn't won now for nearly 50 races so he is hard to recommend with too much confidence. Classic Encounter won well over this course and distance last time when beating Bluebok and does tend to find his best form at this time of year. Rowe Park is in good heart at present and he can go well from his low draw, but Magic Glade has plenty in his favour and can land the prize.
Texas Gold 6-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and hung left over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 10, 5l behind Maltese Falcon (8-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Woodcote (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Led far side group until over 1f out, soon weakened, 18th of 29, 4 1/2l behind Beaver Patrol (8-10) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Classic Encounter (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Made all, ridden 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, readily, won at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd beating Bluebok (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
The Lord 25-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 1l behind Magic Glade (8-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Magic Glade 9-1 (8-11) Held up, headway over 1f out, not much room and switched right inside final furlong, ran on to lead post, won at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd beating Moorhouse Lad (9-1) by a shd, 9 ran.
Talbot Avenue 11-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong to take 2nd, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Merlin's Dancer (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Rowe Park 3-1fav (9-0) Took keen hold behind leaders on rail, not much room but squeezed through to lead inside final furlong, quickened clear, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Bold Minstrel (8-5) by 1l, 12 ran.
Lethal 33-1 (8-7) Raced stands side, chased leader, weakened over 1f out, 16th of 29, 4l behind Beaver Patrol (8-10) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Loch Verdi 8-1 (8-8) Led, ridden when edged left and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Buachaill Dona (8-13) at York 5f 3yo hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Bluebok 10-3fav (8-8) Chased leaders, chased winner over 2f out, one pace under pressure final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Classic Encounter (9-1) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
