dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon outpaced
made all, soon clear, ridden over 1f out, eased close home
raced alone stand side, slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden halfway, edged left and weakened final furlong
broke well, soon towards rear, effort and hung left over 1f out, no impression final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, effort halfway, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, ridden halfway, headway and hung left over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
in touch, ridden halfway, chased winner well inside final furlong, soon hung left, ran on
slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
This trip and ground suits all our short list material here in Bahamian Pirate, The Jobber, Cashel Mead and Smokin Beau, and we just prefer the latter to prevail. Trainer 'Dandy' Nicholls is a past master at winning these sprint handicaps and Smokin Beau is one of three he runs here in this 13 strong field. The selection has a course and distance win to his name and races from 9lb below that winning mark here. He is in good heart from a recent fast ground Musselburgh success, but he also acts on soft ground and he has plenty going for him here, including a nice racing weight. The Jobber is in red hot form, having won on fast ground at both Newbury and Haydock lately. He tries to defy a double penalty here and he will need a career best to win this, but few would confidently predict his demise when in such a rich vein of form. Bahamian Pirate is another of the Nicholls inmates and has enjoyed a successful career, though he has not won since doing so at York over two years ago. He rarely runs a bad race but does look on the down grade and may not be up to this right now. Of the others, Cashel Mead makes some appeal after successive wins at Newbury and Newmarket. She loves to get her toe in and is another who needs a career best to win, but if ever there was a day she could produce that then this may well be it and she won't be far away. However, Smokin Beau is another whose credentials read well and just shades the vote here.
Bahamian Pirate (USA) 22-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Baltic King (9-0) at Beverley 5f lst stk (1) gs in Aug.
Fonthill Road (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Towards rear far side, effort over 2f out, no imprsesion., 13th of 19, 10l behind Excusez Moi (9-4) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Aug.
Cape Royal 5-1 (8-10) Led, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Bond City (9-5) at Epsom 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Aug.
If Paradise 100-1 (8-11) Prominant on stand side for 3f, 25th of 27, 9l behind Borderlescott (9-5) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf in Aug.
Cashel Mead 7-2 (9-6) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, just held on, won at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug beating After The Show (9-1) by a shd, 10 ran.
Highland Warrior 25-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 6l behind Wyatt Earp (8-8) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Smokin Beau 6-4fav (9-4) Chased leader, led halfway, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug beating Millinsky (8-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Stoneacre Lad (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Hung left halfway, always towards rear, 9th of 12, 8l behind Buachaill Dona (8-13) at York 5f 3yo hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Kenmore 9-1 (9-13) Soon outpaced, 12th of 14, 7l behind Inter Vision (9-11) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Enchantment 10-1 (9-3) Led early, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 5l behind Free Roses (8-12) at Ayr 5f lst fll stk (1) gd in Jul.
The Jobber (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Held up, headway and switched left over 1f out, soon ridden, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug beating Pivotal's Princess (9-4) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Golden Dixie (USA) 6-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken and soon one pace, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Hogmaneigh (9-4) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
First Order 14-1 (9-3) In rear, good headway approaching final furlong, ran on strongly to take 3rd close home, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Hogmaneigh (9-4) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
