in touch, ridden on outside 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
tracked leaders, headway to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace and lost 2nd last strides
slowly into stride, held up in rear, lost straight, gradually eased out over 2f out, driven and strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd last stride, not reached winner
held up in rear, headway on outside final furlong, never dangerous
led from 1f, prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, raced wide, held up, ridden and struggling over 3f out
soon chasing leader, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 1f out, no impression on leaders towards finish
held up in mid-division on inside, headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
led after 1f, pushed along 3f out, headed 1f out, faded towards finish
BLACKTOFT looks the one to be with in this claimer; Fremen and Smokey Rye rate as the main dangers. The selection has plenty in his favour here as he is in good form and he is also well-drawn. At this level he has to be a leading light and if the market speaks in his favour then it should pay to take the hint as the yard are very shrewd. Fremen wasn't beaten far last time over 1m1f but he was doing all his best work at the finish that day so this drop in trip is not sure to play to his strengths. Conversely, Smokey Rye has yet to win over this trip and all her best form has been over a shorter than this. Count Ceprano has to be of interest now that he is dropped in grade. We will however stick with Blacktoft as the selection.
Count Ceprano (IRE) 66-1 (8-8) Hampered after 2f, always behind, 16th of 20, 16l behind Presvis (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sept.
Electric Warrior (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway to 3rd under 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, no extra final furlong and kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Phoenix Ice (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp 0-100 pol.
Fremen (USA) 11-8fav (9-8) Steadied start and behind, ridden over 2f out and good headway inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Top Jaro (8-0) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (4) gd in Sept.
Blacktoft (USA) 13-2 (9-8) Held up, raced keenly, headway over 2f out, led and hung right from 1f out, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol beating Hilbre Court (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Deo Valente (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Pulled hard, led after 1f, tracked leader to over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 8, 11l behind Mountain Pride (9-6) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Daring Dream (GER) 20-1 (8-7) Towards rear, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, last of 8, 37l behind Wind Shuffle (9-3) at Ayr 1m 2f hcap (5) hvy in Sept.
Pha Mai Blue 33-1 (8-1) Led for over 1 furlong, stayed prominent, ridden over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 9l behind Arabian Spirit (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (3) pol.
Teasing 28-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, effort over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 4l behind Final Verse (9-10) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol.
Nok Twice (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Top Jaro (8-0) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (4) gd in Sept.
Sky Quest (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, behind, some headway over 2f out, not reach leaders, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Alfie Tupper (9-2) at Sandown 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Ballora (FR) 25-1 (8-8) In touch on inside, raced keenly, ridden 3f out, no headway final 2 furlongs, one pace, 6th of 14, 6l behind Belotto (8-9) at Newbury 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gs.
Smokey Rye 4-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, went third final furlong, no chase with front pair, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Talk of Saafend (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3yo clm (6) pol in Sept.
Wooden King (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Saddle slipped soon after start, soon raced keenly, pulled up over 2f out pulled up in race won by Dazzling Begum (8-6) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) sft, 12 ran.
Mountain Pass (USA) 9-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 15, 14l behind Moves Goodenough (10-0) at Salisbury 1m ldy rds hcp (6) gd.
