mid-division, weakened over 4f out
ridden over 5f out, always in rear
held up towards rear, ridden and some progress over 3f out, soon outpaced
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
prominent, ridden 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway over 4f out, outpaced final 2f, went 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, lost place after 2f, behind final 5f
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, lost 2nd when weakening 1f out
prominent, raced keenly, ran green briefly 6f out, weakened over 3f out
dwelt, soon prominent, led 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, edged right entering final furlong, eased towards finish
always behind
BLUE NYMPH'S defeat to Point Of Light at Bath last time now looks like a decent piece of form and with Ralph Beckett in form we will take her to finally break her maiden, while Custody and Alhaque should be thereabouts. The selection has already performed well here when runner-up in a 1m 3f maiden in July, but was trying a handicap for the first time when unable to peg back Sir Mark Prescott's progressive gelding at Bath. It is hard to believe that there is not a maiden in this Selkirk filly and today can be her day. Sir Michael Stoute saddles Custody, who is another to have gone well here in defeat. Pedigree suggests that this trip may be too far, although he was staying on over slightly shorter at Warwick a couple of starts ago and is not one to write off lightly. Alhaque has now become somewhat disappointing for connections, after threatening to win a race last year. He certainly appeared to have enough ability to break his maiden tag on the evidence of last year's form, but the jury is out at present. Rougham did not live up to pre-race expectations when a comfortably beaten favourite at Bath, and he too has it to prove over this trip, while he also needs to show that he handles the Polytrack. There is nothing else to make a serious case for on what we have seen and with that in mind Blue Nymph looks the pick here.
Bristol Delauriere (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Jumped right 3rd, lost touch 5th, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Runaround Sue (10-7) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun '08, 8 ran.
Walls Way 100-1 (9-8) In touch, pushed along 4f out, outpaced when hung left final 2f, 7th of 10, 23l behind Zemario (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Aug.
Court Princess 100-1 (9-7) Slowly away, always behind, eased final furlong, 10th of 11, 24l behind Hajmah (8-12) at Bath 1m 4f fll mdn stks (5) gd.
Edgefour (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) In touch, ridden 3f out, no impression, 4th of 5, 18l behind Queen Of Naples (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr '08.
Alhaque (USA) 7-2 (9-3) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 15, 12l behind Mathaaq (9-3) at Warwick 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gd in Aug.
Custody (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway towards inside 2f out, soon driven, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Tahkeem (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Hilltop Alchemy 100-1 (9-3) Slowly away, reminders soon after start, outpaced throughout, last of 13, 41l behind Bomber Brown (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) gs in Jul.
Rougham 6-4fav (9-3) Took keen hold, tracking leaders, went 2nd over 8f out, pushed along 3f out, driven over 2f out, no chance with winner over 1f out, weakened final furlong, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Brilliana (8-12) at Bath 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Aug.
Be Kind 20-1 (8-12) Keen early, always in rear, hanging left well over 3f out, soon well behind, 6th of 8, 23l behind Bagber (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Aug.
Blue Nymph 4-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, driven to challenge well over 2f out, soon chasing clear leader, hard ridden approaching final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Point Of Light (9-8) at Bath 1m 4f 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
The Beat Is On 100-1 (7-11) Always towards rear, ridden and weakened 3f out, 15th of 17, 26l behind Maid For Music (8-12) at Salisbury 7f fll mdn stks (5) gf in Jul '08.
