raced wide, soon chasing leaders, challenged on outside 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, pushed along when slightly short of room on inner inside final 3f, driven and beaten 2f out
refused to race and took no part
took keen hold early, tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, led well over 1f out, hard driven and kept on final furlong, just held on, all out
took keen hold early, chased leader to 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, headway on outside over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, edged right and ran on inside final furlong, just failed
keen early, in touch, pushed along halfway, no impression until switched left over 1f out, driven and kept on one pace after
held up, headway over 1f out, chased leading pair inside final furlong, one pace
soon led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened over 1f out
Rafta is the interesting runner in the race however she has a bit to prove in this better company having tasted defeat and instead we turn to RUSSIAN RAVE whose hold-up style of racing means that a wide draw is not a disaster. John Portman's filly has been holding her form well all season, and was a decisive winner here in June. Her subsequent run was over a furlong longer which may just have stretched her and with the drop back in trip in her favour she should run well. Super Academy could be anything after her narrow Salisbury victory 54 days ago; off since, it will be interesting to see how she moves in the betting on this handicap bow. Sarasota Sunshine managed to wear down Rio Cobolo at Haydock last time; a 4lb rise looks high enough and she has 10 lengths to find with Rafta on their Nottingham clash, although a 21lb pull in the weights should help. Rafta has been a whopping success this year; she is likely to appreciate this surface more than the heavy ground that she ran on last time but the fact is that she is now 24lbs higher than when she started her winning streak in June. Respite is a course and distance winner and this nicely-bred filly is likely to fare better now dropped in trip although the handicapper is slow to relent. Steel Free has been dropped 2lb in the weights for just a moderate handicap debut at Doncaster last time and needs to improve, as does the inconsistent but talented Beautiful Filly. An open start to the card, where we will side with Russian Rave.
Super Academy (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 3f out, soon hung right, ridden entering final furlong, edged left towards finish, just held on, won at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn fll stks (5) gf in Jun beating Global Conquest (9-0) by shd, 9 ran.
Steel Free (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 10l behind Jeninsky (9-6) at Doncaster 7f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gs in Jul.
Rafta (IRE) 10-3 (7-12) In touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Imaam (8-8) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) hvy.
Sarasota Sunshine 9-2 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Rio Cobolo (9-2) by nk, 9 ran.
Russian Rave 7-2 (8-8) Held up, headway on outside to track leading half way, ridden and not quicken 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 4th of 6, 4l behind Mosqueras Romance (8-9) at Kempton 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jul.
Respite 9-4fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up in rear but never travelling, ridden and no response over 3f out, 7th of 8, 17l behind Romany Princess (10-0) at Windsor 1m flls hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Calahonda 8-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 15l behind Jeninsky (9-6) at Doncaster 7f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gs in Jul.
Beautiful Filly 5-1 (9-2) Mainly behind, 7th of 11, 11l behind Comadoir (9-5) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Allexes (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened halfway, last of 12, 12l behind Peper Harow (7-13) at Nottingham 6f flls hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Queen of Thebes (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Led after 1f, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 10l behind Ethics Girl (9-0) at Chepstow 1m fll hcp (5) gd in Jul.
