tracked leaders in 4th, led on bit over 2f out, soon pushed clear, eased near finish
in touch, ridden on outside 3f out, soon struggling
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, plugged on final furlong, went poor 4th last stride
in touch, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
raced in 3rd, ridden and went 2nd inside final 2f, kept on well to hold 2nd, no chance with very easy winner
tracked leader, driven to challenge 2f out, soon hung right and weakened over 1f out
held up in 6th, headway from 2f out, stayed on to dispute moderate 2nd 1f out, never any chance with very easy winner
ridden in rear 4f out, always behind
raced freely, led at strong pace, soon clear to 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened rapidly
Pinch Of Salt can defy topweight against the likes of Lord Of Dreams, Maslak and Hope Road to name but a few. At first glance, Pinch Of Salt may appear to be hard done by, having to shoulder topweight, but Andrew Balding's four-year-old finally came good at the 12th time of asking when successful over 12-furlongs here a fortnight ago, and remains on a handy mark compared to when tackling much stronger company last year. He is taken to follow up here. Lord Of Dreams also hit winning form last time out, when landing a Lingfield seller, after which he was retained by connections who will hope their faith is vindicated. In receipt of plenty of weight from the selection, he can prove dangerous. Maslak has been placed on a number of occasions, and Hope Road is slowly but surely getting the hang of things, but is only marginally better off with the selection at the weights. Pinch Of Salt can win the finale.
Pinch of Salt (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Led for 2f, chased leaders, ridden to challenge on inside 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept beating Turner's Touch (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Spring Goddess (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Held up and always in rear, 12th of 15, 11l behind Fongs Gazelle (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 1f fll hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Ocean Avenue (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Prominent, chased leader 4f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, kept on same pace, 7th of 15, 5l behind Pivotal Answer (8-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcap (4) pol in Sept.
Devolution (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (D) gd in Jul '03 beating Sky Quest (9-4) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Maslak (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Aypeeyes (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Sept.
Hope Road 9-2 (8-8) In touch, headway to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon driven and no impression and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Pinch of Salt (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept.
Lord of Dreams (IRE) 11-8fav (8-9) Held up in 4th, off the pace, closed on leaders over 3f out, upsides 2f out, soon led, in command final furlong, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Sept beating Drizzi (9-5) by 2l, 11 ran.
Medieval Maiden 20-1 (9-1) Behind, pushed along 3f out, never a factor, 9th of 13, 8l behind Pinch of Salt (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept.
Border Edge 16-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 13, 8l behind Tyzack (9-6) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sept.
