chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
reminders, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd towards finish
always towards rear
slowly away and reminders, chased leaders after 2f, ridden and hung right from 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, smooth headway and not clear run 3f out, led over 1f out, forged clear, very easily
in touch, struggling when hampered on rails over 2f out, no chance after
mid-division, effort 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and switched left over 2f out, stayed on steadily, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, eased
mid-division, effort 3f out, one pace final 2f
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some late progress, never a threat
hung left from over 2f out, always towards rear
towards rear, headway after 2f, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
Nonrunner
We're faced with the usual quandary that three year-old handicaps offer at this time of year here but there are reasons enough for siding with Striving. The selection is unlikely to follow in the footsteps of her smart relations Wannabe Posh and Wannabe Grand but there's no reason to believe that she won't be able to make her mark in the right company and this would appear to be a sensible starting point. She's been fairly well held in maidens at up to a mile but may improve now upped in trip for her handicap bow. It will be interesting to see what tactics Oscar Urbina adopts aboard Red Lily as she has been held up in the past but raced prominently on her handicap bow last time. That effort reads well enough in the context of this race but hold-up tactics from a high draw are fraught with danger and Oscar will need to be at his best to weave his way through. The market should help with regard to their chances and those of the likes of World Time, Red Twist, Appointment and Mardood to name but four more. Hard to be confident but we'll take Striving for success.
Red Twist 14-1 (9-3) Pulled hard, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 3l behind Wing Play (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Fiume 8-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, driven along 4f out, always in rear, 11th of 13, 20l behind Excape (8-7) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Mardood 5-2 (8-13) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Stock Market (8-13) at Hamilton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gf.
World Time 11-4 (8-11) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression, 8th of 14, 14l behind Deadly Silence (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) fbs.
Moment's Notice 12-1 (8-9) In touch, driven along 3f out, one pace, no impression final 2f, 5th of 13, 10l behind Excape (8-7) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Appointment 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, led 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, lost two places near finish, 4th of 14, 3/4l behind King Columbo (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Oct.
Mrs Jefferson (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up, headway 3f out, carried wide into home straight and lost place, 10th of 12, 15l behind Amanjena (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Red Lily (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up behind leaders, pushed along when outpaced 4f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 9, 9l behind Suzi's Decision (9-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f fll hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Roundthetwist (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Excape (8-13) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Tamrai Dancer 20-1 (8-6) Mid-division and keen, saddle slipped over 5f out, soon behind, 10th of 11, 28l behind Air Chief (9-1) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Striving (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 16, 13l behind Rattan (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gs.
Flower Song 33-1 (9-0) In rear, behind from over 2f out, last of 12, 19l behind Debonnaire (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Nov.
King's Alchemist 16-1 (8-3) Held up in rear main group, hampered start, never dangerous, 14th of 17, 21l behind Mexican Venture (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Cossack Prince 28-1 (9-0) Chased leader to 3f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 33l behind Allied Powers (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Miss Jolyon (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Behind, headway on outer over 1f out, ran on to chase winner well inside final furlong, gaining near finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Uig (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f fll hcp (5) pol.
Mission Control (IRE) 11-10fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders after 2f, hard driven from 3f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar beating John Potts (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
