steadied start, held up in touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
prominent on outside, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
made all, soon crossed to rail, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
chased winner, ridden halfway, lost 2nd inside final furlong
soon pushed along in rear, never dangerous
held up, in touch, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong
in rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
It could be worth seeking a bit of value in this contest and we will do so with Gone'N'Dunnett; Thoughtsofstardom, Azygous and Blessed Place could prove best of the others. The selection finished in mid-division in a handicap at Southwell last time but he was far from disgraced in that race and he is more than capable of getting his head in front at a decent price. His case is strengthened by the questions marks that hang over some of his rivals, most notably Thoughtsofstardom. He is in good form but he was all out to score last time and he could be vulnerable today under his penalty. Azygous finished behind Thoughtsofstardom last time and has gone nearly two years now without winning. Blessed Place ran a fair race in a competitive handicap at Sandown last time and this eight-year-old does have a decent strike-rate, so he could be capable of making the frame. However, a chance is taken on Gone'N'Dunnett who can bounce back to form.
Thoughtsofstardom 9-4fav (9-8) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 2f out, challenged and going well over 1f out, every chance final furlong, found no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Croeso Bach (8-11) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) frm.
Azygous 7-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 10, 1/2l behind Thoughtsofstardom (8-11) at Folkestone 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Blessed Place 14-1 (7-11) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 3l behind Cheveton (8-11) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Perlachy 14-1 (10-10) Keen, tracking leaders, hung right over 1f out, soon beaten, last of 13, 16l behind Trinculo (10-13) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Apr.
El Potro 8-1 (7-11) Behind, soon outpaced, struggling halfway, last of 10, 12l behind Figaro Flyer (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcap (5) fbs in May.
Gone'n'dunnett (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression, 6th of 12, 10l behind Owed (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Ela Aleka Mou 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, lost place well over 1f out, last of 7, 14l behind Doubtful Sound (9-2) at Yarmouth 6f clm (6) gf in May.
Repeat (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Wodhill Gold (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Dec '05.
Fairfield Princess 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, hard pressed and driven out near finish just held on, won at Kempton 5f hcap (5) pol beating Mambazo (8-12) by a hd, 12 ran.
