took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
reared and lost ground start, held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd post
tracked leader for 3f, stayed prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led at steady pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on under pressur, always held
took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3f, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden 4f out, soon struggling
keen hold tracking leaders, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out until post
took keen hold in touch, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened
Birkside continues to progress and must go close in his bid for a four-timer, however Our Herbie looked on the way back to form last time out and could be a better option, Magic Mountain and Atlantic Gamble are also worthy of respect. The John Hills trained three-year-old finished four lengths behind Birkside last time out over the ten furlong trip at Leicester. He was staying on well in the closing stages, so the extra couple of furlongs, added to the nine pound turnaround in the weights, give this one every chance of reversaing form with that rival. Atlantic Gamble returned to the winners enclosure last time out when beating the good all-weather yardstick Boot 'n Toot. On official ratings he has a bit to find with acouple of these but should still be thereabouts. Magic Numbers is a rare runner in this type of event for Richard Hannon and has chances on earlier season form. However we come back to Our Herbie as the more likely winner.
Strength 'n Honour 16-1 (9-10) Held up in mid-division, good headway from 3f out, pressed winner and every chance from just inside final 2f, always held final furlong, 2nd of 13, hd behind Magic Sting (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f clm (5) gs in Aug '05.
Turner's Touch 14-1 (8-8) Behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Pinch of Salt (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept.
Atlantic Gamble (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, held on gamely, won at Kempton 1m 3f clm (6) pol in Sept beating Boot 'n Toot (9-2) by a hd, 11 ran.
Birkside 10-3 (9-6) Held up, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, driven out, won at Redcar 1m 2f sll (5) gd beating Playtotheaudience (9-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Magic Mountain (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 5l behind Atlantic Gamble (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f clm (6) pol in Sept.
Forest Emerald (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Always behind, 10th of 16, well behind Pauls Plain (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl (5) gf (N.Hunt).
Our Herbie 11-4 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Birkside (9-1) at Leicester 1m 2f clm (6) gd in Sept.
Wind Chime (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Mid-division, short-lived effort over 2f out, 8th of 13, 8l behind Foolish Groom (9-6) at Chepstow 1m ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Fairy Monarch (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden 3f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 11l behind Pindar (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Laugh 'n Cry 33-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, hard driven over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Langford (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
Party Palace 20-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 6l behind Almahaza (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo sll (5) gd.
