in touch, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, holding on well when edged left near finish
went left start, behind, kept on inside final furlong
soon chasing leaders, ridden and weakening when hampered inside final 2f
towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
slowly away, took keen hold in rear, headway on outer from 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, ran on, allways held
towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
taken down early, slow into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish
took keen hold, steadied in rear, effort and driven over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon slight lead, headed approaching final furlong, faded
in touch, ridden 2f out, soon badly hampered, rallied and ran on inside final furlong, not recover
with leader, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened
Another very open handicap can go to Punching ahead of a whole host of dangers, including Blue Quiver, Metropolitan Chief, Inquisitress and Glencal. All of those mentioned have the form to land this, and in Punching there may well be a little bit of value as he is still a maiden. However, Eve Johnson-Houghton's charge has been crying out for an extra furlong, lines up on a fair weight, and is well drawn, so it would come as no surprise if he popped in at a tasty price. Blue Quiver does not win too often, but returned to winning ways at Lingfield, and despite dropping back in trip, is also well drawn and worth considering. Metropolitan Chief was given a fine ride to open his account at Wolverhampton recently, and Kirsty Milczarek can again take weight off his back, while Inquisitress has a recent win to her name, and is two from three under Eddie Ahern. Glencal has been most consistent and so also enters calculations, but we return to Punching as the speculative choice.
Linda's Colin (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Raced keenly, prominent until weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Trivia (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Sorrel Point 20-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner over 2f out, soon ridden, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Mocha Java (9-0) at Yarmouth 7f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Aug '06.
Millfield (IRE) 15-2 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 8l behind Bold Cross (9-7) at Warwick 7f hcap (6) gf in Sept.
Swiper Hill (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Went left start, in touch and keen, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2l behind Excessive (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Grand Lucre 11-1 (9-4) Chased leader, led over 2f out, driven and headed 1f out, held when rider dropped whip inside final furlong, kept on well to hold 2nd, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Inquisitress (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Granakey (IRE) 3-1 (8-10) Pulled hard, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway to chase winner approaching final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Mademoiselle (8-1) at Southwell 1m fll hcp (5) fbs in Mar.
Take To The Skies (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, ridden on inside over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 5l behind Landucci (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Aug.
Blue Quiver (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Sept beating King After (9-2) by a nk, 12 ran.
Border Artist 9-2jt-fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway when not much room over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Spinning (9-1) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Inquisitress 13-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, headway going well on inside 2f out, led 1f out, driven clear, won at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept beating Grand Lucre (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Glencal 15-8fav (8-13) Soon ridden in mid-division, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Bobby Rose (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept.
Metropolitan Chief 3-1fav (8-9) Alway prominent, edged left over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept beating Luck Will Come (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Pulled hard, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 5l behind Princess Taylor (9-4) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Punching 25-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Salsa Steps (8-12) at Folkestone 6f mdn stk (5) frm in Sept.
