mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, kept on one pace
close up, led over 4f out, soon headed, chased leader after, led against inside final furlong, kept on, no extra, outpaced and headed near finish
behind, raced wide, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
always in rear group, never in contention
held up, led 4f out, ridden over 2f out and 3 lengths clear, no extra when headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
steady start, raced very wide, always behind, struggling over 2f out
steady start, towards rear, steady headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders
led to over 4f out, stayed prominent, ridden over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, beaten when eased inside final furlong
mid-division, hard driven over 1f out, no impression, picked up well entering final furlong, strong run to lead close home, held on
chased leaders to 3f out, soon lost place and weakened quickly
raced keenly in mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, pressed winner and every chance towards finish, just held
slowly into stride, always behind, never troubled leaders final 2f
mid-division, chased leaders 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
SHADOW BAY is top rated here and can prove it with a first claimer win, while Courageous Nature and Duke Of Acquitaine look the main dangers. The selection was a 6f winner at both Ripon (good) and Nottingham (soft) in the summer, before the step up to a mile found him out last time. This drop back to 7f looks a plus and he can get back to winning ways. Duke Of Acquitaine has been sliding down the weights after arguably putting in his best performance to date on the Polytrack at Kempton in June. The switch to a claimer didn't help last time but it could be a different story over this trip so he is not dismissed. Courageous Nature won a Lingfield seller last month and has run a couple of decent races in defeat in context since then, so he can't be ruled out in this grade either, and he might even find improvement for the step up in distance. Fajita will find this easier than some of the maidens he has contested thus far, and with Statute Book a very likely improver who needs a look in the market, we will take Shadow Bay to emerge victorious.
Fajita 11-1 (8-8) In rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Ubi Ace (8-11) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) sft in Sept.
Shadow Bay (IRE) 9-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 6l behind Highland Storm (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Duke of Aquitaine (USA) 33-1 (8-13) Behind, soon outpaced, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 9l behind Desert Falls (9-5) at Great Leighs 6f 2yo clm (4) pol in Sept.
Fruitful Job (IRE) 22-1 (8-9) Went left start, slowly into stride, outpaced, 6th of 7, 11l behind Barcode (8-6) at Bath 5f 2yo clm (6) gd in Aug.
Courageous Nature (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) In touch, effort 2f out, joined leaders and kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Tillers Satisfied (8-1) at W'hampton 5f 2yo sll (6) pol.
Hartshead Flyer (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Awkward at start, slowly into stride, soon pushed along and outpaced in rear, last of 4, 18l behind Bahamian Babe (8-8) at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) fbs in Apr.
Statute Book (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Towards rear, effort over 1f out, weakening when hampered approaching final furlong, 9th of 10, 9l behind Braveheart Move (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
My Dixie Darling (USA) 28-1 (8-4) Towards rear, some late progress, 5th of 9, 9l behind Timeteam (8-9) at Bath 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Aug.
Jonah's Cruising (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) In rear, soon pushed along, always behind, 14th of 16, 10l behind Rosy Mantle (9-0) at Great Leighs 6f 2yo mdn (4) pol in Sept.
Restless Knight 66-1 (9-0) Broke well, steadied towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 13, 11l behind Baariq (9-0) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Swiss Art (IRE) One Cool Cat gelding out of Alpine Park.
Barbeito 12-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 9l behind Hit The Switch (9-3) at Hamilton 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) sft in Sept.
Spiritual Bond 100-1 (8-12) Outpaced, 9th of 11, 30l behind Qalahari (8-12) at Bath 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) frm in Jul.
Duke's Emerald 50-1 (9-3) Slowly away and always behind, 10th of 11, 18l behind Mafaaz (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
