close up in 5th, ridden and headway over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd final strides
keen tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides
taken to post early, slowly away, tracked leader after 1f, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
NonRunner
WISE COUNSEL floundered in heavy going at Haydock last time. But he dead-heated for first in this grade at Sandown before that and Clive Cox’ colt gets another chance on that form given today’s opposition have something to prove at this level, including Breath Of Air. The latter looks no nearer winning despite slipping down the weights while the remainder are upped in class. Swift Approval and Chatham House struggled off today’s marks last time having earlier won over 7f at Sandown and Newbury respectively while Six Strings’ success at Catterick came over 6f and Firmdecisions landed a double over the same distance early in the year.
Firmdecisions (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 10 1/2l behind Rum Runner (9-4) at Newmarket 7f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Breath Of Air 9-2 (9-5) Chased leader, led and edged left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Bernardo O'Reilly (9-9) at Ffos Las 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Swift Approval (IRE) 9-2fav (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, driven over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Key Player (9-13) at Epsom 7f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Six Strings 7-4fav (9-10) Chased leaders, not clear run from over 2f out until inside final furlong, ran on into 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Glengarry (9-8) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Chatham House 11-8fav (9-13) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Red Alert (9-10) at Brighton 6f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Wise Counsel 3-1fav (9-4) Held up in touch, every chance 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 23l behind Finoah (9-2) at Haydock 7f hcp (3) hvy in Aug.