tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well
held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, weakened 3f out
towards rear, headway to track leaders over 4f out, ridden, weakened over 2f out
held up, tracked leaders over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace, no impression final furlong
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
mid-division, ridden, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, pushed along, lost place over 5f out
The unexposed Takafu has far and away the most scope for improvement and is selected ahead of Millagros. The best of the rest appear to be: Merrymaker, Smart John and the frustrating Estepona, who is holding his form well but is becoming very hard to win with. The last named is also suffering with the handicapper at present and faces no easy test this afternoon. Smart John goes well here and loves to stride out on this galloping surface. He can make sure that this is a good test but lacks the tactical speed to quicken at the end of his races. Similar comments apply to Merrymaker, who can be expected to be played late. He needs a solid test of stamina to be seen to best effect. Millagros put in an excellent weight carrying performance at Hamilton three weeks ago and will be a potent force if dishing out a repeat dose. A 4lb rise looks fair and she can give the selection the most to think about. However, Takafu shapes as if he has a fair future ahead of him and, with the form of his latest start receiving a solid boost when Baie Des Flamands bolted up at Ripon on Monday, this improving three-year-old is expected to be hard to beat; especially as the weight-for-age allowance enhances his case on these terms.
Mexican Pete 11-4 (9-12) Close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 5l behind Political Intrigue (9-5) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Estepona 5-1co-fav (10-1) Help up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 10, shd behind Instructor (9-10) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Millagros (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up and behind, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp (5) gf in Jul beating Michaels Pride (9-1) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Kirkham Abbey 33-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, 16th of 18, 33l behind Another Bottle (9-13) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in May.
Merrymaker 8-1 (9-0) Soon pushed along in rear, ridden over 2f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, nearest finish, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Solarias Quest (8-9) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Smart John 7-4 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Boxhall (8-9) at Pontefract 1m 4f stk 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Velvet Waters 7-2 (10-0) Led until headed just over 4f out, soon ridden and weakened from 3f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Free Style (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f fll hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Takafu (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf in Jul beating Baie des Flamands (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Tritonville Lodge (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Held up, pushed along 4f out, driven and headway 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd just inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Tybalt (8-5) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Glorious Westport (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, hampered bend over 8f out, weakened over 3f out, 17th of 19, 21l behind Fen Game (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Melody Que (IRE) 33-1 (8-3) Mid-division, outpaced and behind over 3f out, 8th of 10, 44l behind Political Intrigue (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in Jul.
