held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner
chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders on inside, driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, behind, pushed along halfway, switched to inside and made some headway final furlong
slowly into stride, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
tracked leader, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
raced keenly, soon led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
in touch on outside, pushed along 3f out, lost place over 2f out
held up and always in rear
in touch, good headway between horses to lead over 1f out, soon pushed clear, easily
Nonrunner
A race that really is all about one horse, THE SCORCHING WIND, who is taken to defy a double penalty and complete a hat-trick at the main expense of Eastern Gift. Like so many trainers, Stuart Williams has suffered a little at the hands of the authorities since the double penalty system was introduced, but he looks to have found one in The Scorching Wind who is actually capable of going in under that 12lb extra burden. He loves it here, with wins over both this trip and 7f since the turn of the month, and he was very much in control of matters when scoring by a margin of just over two lengths last time. He looks progressive and can take this on his upward curve. Eastern Gift, on the other hand, is proving very tricky to win with. He has had 11 starts since scoring over course and distance last year from mark 6lbs lower than tonight's and he has been going back up in the weights for making the frame on each of his last four outings. He wouldn't be winning out of turn, but he looks booked for the frame once more. Miss Minnies took a minor Dundalk handicap last time but a 6lb rise looks tough enough to overcome, while fellow Irish raider Forbidden looks well up to being competitive here but has also gone up 4lbs, in his case without winning, which is not positive. My Shadow likes it here but needs a career best to score at these weights and a better proposition looks to be Gazboolou, who is 1lb higher than a previous win over today's course and distance and has stronger claims than many. There aren't many that defy a double penalty but we hope that The Scorching Wind can be one of them.
The Scorching Wind (IRE) 7-2 (8-6) Always travelling well, tracked leading pair, shaken up to lead over 1f out, soon in command, comfortably, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Mac's Power (8-9) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Gazboolou 8-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 2f out, effort approaching final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Ninth House (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
Eastern Gift 13-2 (9-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead briefly 2f out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Indy Driver (9-9) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
My Shadow 12-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along and some headway on outside over 2f out, faded over 1f out, 8th of 11, 11l behind Romany Princess (10-2) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Chief Exec 17-2 (9-1) Slowly away in rear, still last approaching final furlong, ran on on wide outside towards finish, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Ninth House (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
Regional Counsel 40-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 7th of 8, 10l behind Vainglory (9-7) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Penchesco (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Highly Regal (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Forbidden (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Soon led, ridden from 2f out, kept on final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 19, hd behind Silly Dancer (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m app hcp 50-70 in Aug.
Toolentidhaar (USA) 25-1 (9-13) Close up, quickly weakened and eased approaching final furlong, last of 13, 31l behind Turning Top (9-11) at Windsor 1m flls hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Fiefdom (IRE) 22-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 5l behind Ninth House (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
April Fool 50-1 (9-4) In touch, weakened over 3f out, 14th of 15, 19l behind My Gacho (9-5) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Minority Report 20-1 (8-9) Behind, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 27l behind Celtic Change (9-8) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Miss Minnies (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Led and disputed, definite advantage from before straight, strongly pressed inside final furlong, all out to hold on near finish, won at Dundalk 1m hcp 50-70 pol in Aug beating Napa Starr (9-10) by shd, 14 ran.
Focail Eile 4-1 (9-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 13, 39l behind Ninth House (8-8) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
