soon chasing leader, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
held up mid-division and keen, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
in rear, pushed along 5f out, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
held up in touch, led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, pushed along over 4f out, weakened 2f out
This is another good quality handicap, with several runners holding claims, but we side with the well handicapped ADVISOR, to see off the likes of Honimiere, Choral Festival and Royal Trooper. Honimiere's form is solid as he has beaten the handicapper in three of his last four starts but he has not performed at his best on an easy surface and in this competitive contest that may prove a problem. Royal Trooper may have been fortunate to score at Thirsk last time as the runner-up was denied a clear run and he is also unproven on this ground, while Choral Festival is improving as he steps up in trip but may not be good enough. Unlike his rivals who are climbing the weights, Advisor looks well treated just now, and he travelled very well at Doncaster last time before being outpaced in the closing stages. If he is delivered late, with his rivals perhaps slowed by the ground, Advisor can know too much for the rest.
Whooshka (USA) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind La Coveta (9-8) at Leicester 1m 2f flls hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Going For Gold 11-8fav (9-1) Took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, headway to track leader well over 1f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, carried head high, in command final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 4f flls hcp 0-75 (5) fm in Jul beating Princess Rainbow (10-0) by 3l, 5 ran.
Royal Trooper (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Held up in last place, switched right over 2f out, headway to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Thirsk 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul beating Tapis Wizard (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Advisor (FR) 6-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, headway to lead over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Red Cadeaux (9-6) at Doncaster 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Embsay Crag 11-2 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, pressed from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Lady Luachmhar (9-10) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jul.
Choral Festival 7-4 (8-12) Held up in touch, led 3f out, soon ridden, driven out final furlong (hand timed), won at Southwell 1m 4f mdn fll (5) fbs in Jul beating Blue Nymph (8-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Excelsior Academy 20-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Sherman Mccoy (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Citizenship 25-1 (8-5) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, kept on same pace and no impression on winner, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Eastern Aria (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Sweet Hollow 10-3 (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 14l behind Harry The Hawk (9-9) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jul.
Honimiere (IRE) 5-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, switched left over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul beating Maybeme (8-4) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
