behind, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway after 6f, lost place bend 5f out, ridden and hung left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out,
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
always behind
led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace
always towards rear
in touch, challenged from over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung right, edged left inside final furlong, driven out
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up and keen, switched right and headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led after 1f, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, switched right well inside final furlong, stayed on
From a good line-up for this 14-furlong contest, Frank Sonata is selected ahead of Soulacroix, Solent and Peppertree Lane. Frank Sonata has a touch of class and, dropping into handicap company on a reasonable mark - not least given that he loves juice in the going - his chance is very much respected. Late Ebor defector Soulacroix, who was strongly fancied there, has a progressive profile and rates as a major player. Solent loves soft going and is not far off a winning mark and, along with Lets Roll, is weighted to beat Soulacroix based on recent Goodwood form. Castle Howard cannot be ruled out of some sort of run based on the form of the same race. Saint Alebe defied a stumble at the start to win at York last time and, given just a two-pounds rise for that, cannot be ruled out either. The lightly-raced River Alhaarth ran really well to finish fifth in the Ebor last time, while Peppertree Lane, who is lightly raced, looked an improved performer when scoring on heavy at Pontefract last time and has to be respected. A five-pounds rise for Stoop To Conquer's Newbury win might impact on her chances, while the admirably-consistent Ti Adora also holds place claims at best. Overall, though, we are going to stick with class and nominate Frank Sonata in this valuable race.
Frank Sonata 11-2 (9-1) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway on outside, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Akarem (9-1) at Ascot 1m 4f lst stk (1) sft in May.
Solent (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Held up and keen, ridden and headway when hung left over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 19, 6l behind Mudawin (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Aug.
Red Lancer 25-1 (8-9) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 9th of 19, 8l behind Mudawin (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Aug.
River Alhaarth (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led 1f, chased leader, led again over 3f out, soon ridden, edged left and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Mudawin (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Aug.
Adopted Hero (IRE) (9-0) Unplaced behind El Hechizado (9-0) at Mijas 1m 4f stk std in May '05, 13 ran.
Lets Roll 20-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden over 4f out, headway over 3f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 19, 7l behind Mudawin (8-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gs in Aug.
Castle Howard (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 13l behind New Guinea (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
McEldowney 4-1jt-fav (9-11) Lef for 2f, remained close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Mirjan (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Aug.
Sweet Indulgence (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Held up, in touch, led 1f out, ridden out, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug beating Corum (9-8) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Peppertree Lane (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Held up, headway over 4f out, led over 3f out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) hvy in Aug beating Bollin Derek (8-2) by 3l, 8 ran.
Stoop To Conquer 15-2 (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway inside final 2f, driven to lead under pressure final 100 yards, all out, won at Newbury 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug beating Zurbaran (8-11) by 1l, 12 ran.
Ti Adora (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Reared start, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 19, 1 1/2l behind London Express (8-12) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug.
Quizzene (USA) 14-1 (9-2) Made most, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 18th of 19, 20l behind London Express (8-12) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug.
Soulacroix 10-3fav (9-7) In touch, outpaced 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug beating Wunderwood (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Gold Gun (USA) 8-1 (8-6) Prominent, reminders over 4f out, soon beaten, 16th of 21, well behind Come On Jonny (8-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (2) hvy in Nov.
Saint Alebe 20-1 (8-8) Slipped leaving stalls, in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, ran on well to lead final 50 yards, won at York 1m 6f hcp (B) gf in Aug '03 beating Sun Bird (8-10) by 1/2l, 22 ran.
Massif Centrale 16-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 37l behind Alessano (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Aug.
