chased leaders early, soon lost place and behind
behind, stayed on final furlong, never on terms
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon no impression
tracked winner, under pressure over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon one pace
slowly away, raced keenly in rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon no impression
made all, clear over 2f out, ridden out
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace
behind, headway and edged left under pressure over 1f out, never able to challenge
A quality handicap in which preference is for AROMATHERAPY ahead of recent winners Fervent Prince, Red Rumour, Storm Sir and Opera Prince. The selection was very flighty before her latest third behind Relative Order at Newmarket, unseating her rider on the way to the start. Considering she ran free for over half a mile, her decent third over an inadequate seven furlongs looks a grand effort. Unbeaten in two starts over this course and distance, she looks a great bet. Storm Sir and Hilbre Court give Brian Meehan a strong hand, and both are course and distance winners; however the former looks the pick given his fine attitude shown when winning last time despite a thwack over the head from a rivals whip. Red Rumour won a handicap last time but is back up the weights accordingly, so a bigger danger may be Fervent Prince who is effective over a variety of trips. Roaring Forte is very consistent, whilst Slam Dunk is an interesting challenger from Ireland. A competitive handicap, however it should set the price up for Aromatherapy to be a taking price assuming she behaves.
Commander Cave (USA) 5-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, gradually weakened, 10th of 11, 13l behind Signor Peltro (8-8) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Aug.
Fervent Prince 8-1 (9-8) Towards rear. good headway when not clear run over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Sandown 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug beating Isphahan (9-2) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Dubai Dynamo 11-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never near leaders, 7th of 10, 9l behind Irish Mayhem (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 3yo hcp (2) pol.
Red Rumour (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon challenging, driven to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, held on, won at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (3) sft beating Admiral Dundas (8-9) by a hd, 11 ran.
Slam Dunk (USA) 11-4fav (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden in moderate 5th 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Empirical Power (9-8) at Dundalk 7f hcp 0-100 pol.
Aromatherapy 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden and every chance, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Relative Order (9-7) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Roaring Forte (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Raced keenly in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on to chase winner just over 1f out but no impression final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Mr Hichens (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Storm Sir (USA) 10-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway when struck by rivals whip 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, just held on, won at Great Leighs 1m hcap (3) pol beating Yarqus (9-9) by a shd, 14 ran.
Opera Prince 15-2 (9-2) Held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led inside final 2f, stayed on well final furlong, driven out, won at Sandown 1m hcap (4) sft beating Eastern Emperor (9-3) by 2l, 12 ran.
Hilbre Court (USA) Evensfav (9-7) Chased leaders, driven along over 2f out, soon one pace and beaten, 4th of 10, 6l behind Talk of Saafend (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3yo clm (6) pol.
