tracked leaders, quickened to lead over 1f out comfortably
keen, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not pace of winner
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Following a convincing win at York on Wednesday, Seel Of Approval can follow up in this Classified Stakes race. Roger Charlton's stable is in good heart at present and his Polar Falcon gelding, who is also the only course and distance winner in the field, can provide him with another win. His big danger is Proud Boast, who comes out the best of these on official ratings. He finished a length-and-a-half behind the selection at York on 19 August and is now eleven pounds better off so, in theory, ought to start as favourite. And if you work on literal formlines using Celtic Mill then the selection and Fantasy Believer are weighted to finish close together, which is just what the official ratings tell us. On the other hand, Alan Berry's pair, Rosselli and Countryside Dancer - who has not been seen on the track since October 19 last year - will struggle here. Overall, and bearing in mind the evidence of the form book and the official handicapper, we'll still stick with the in-form Seel Of Approval.