tracked leaders, ridden halfway, kept on one pace
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in touch, switched left over 1f out, effort and kept on same pace
keen, tracked leaders, joined winner entering final furlong, every chance when ridden and carried head high, not quicken near finish
tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
A potentially trappy little contest where Siren's Gift just gets the nod ahead of The Jobber and Riotous Applause. Andrew Balding's filly would have finished closer to Bee Eater at Newmarket last time had she not been hampered when trying to challenge and five furlongs on fast ground suits. She is a consistent sort, so can be relied upon to give her running again, and she can make the most of her allowances to score. The Jobber was a c&d scorer in handicap company this time last year and also enjoys it like a road. On a strict interpretation of that form he should again finish ahead of Cape Royal, but may not quite have enough to hold off the filly. Riotous Applause is a potential fly in the ointment, dropping into this from Listed company. However, his pedigree suggests that he is better suited to further than the minimum and he couldn't be backed with confidence. Bond City comes from an in-form yard but his own recent efforts leave him with a bit to prove and preference is for Siren's Gift.
Bond City (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Chased leaders on far side for over 2f, last of 27, 8l behind Zidane (9-1) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf in Aug.
Cape Royal 16-1 (8-6) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Indian Trail (9-7) at Haydock 5f hcap (2) gf.
Riotous Applause 9-2 (9-2) Bumped soon after start, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Cartimandua (8-8) at Haydock 6f lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
The Jobber (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders and keen, not clear run entering final furlong, soon switched left, one pace, 6th of 16, 2l behind Indian Trail (9-7) at Haydock 5f hcap (2) gf.
Siren's Gift 5-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on and not pace to challenge, 4th of 11, 3l behind Bee Eater (8-10) at Newmarket 6f fll hcp (3) gd in Jul.