mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, headway and hung right over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
track leader, every chance and hung right over 1f out, enable to quicken inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace from 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, edged left and then right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
very slowly away, always behind
mid-division, outpaced and lost pace over 4f out, stayed on final furlong
never trouble leaders
always in rear
Ones to get consideration here included Trafalgar Square, Oakley Absolute and Torrens, but the vote goes to Real Cool Cat. Having won an apprentice handicap last time for tonight's rider, Real Cool Cat warrants plenty of respect, particularly given the fact that he runs unpenalised here and his future rating will be seven pounds above today's. As such, it is hard to escape his credentials for this race. Sound And Vision is admirably consistent but he is just failing to get his head in front off his current mark. Oakley Absolute runs under a six-pound penalty following a narrow Windsor win and, having won two of his last four races and hailing from an in-form stable, he should give you a run for your money. Trafalgar Square's handicap debut last time was full of promise and the two-furlong longer trip today could bring about more improvement, while Torrens met trouble in running before running on at Chester last time, his first try at tonight's trip, so he rates a solid-enough mention. It is difficult to build a strong case for the others, even though the likes of Blazing Bailey is stepping up in trip today, Opalite hails from a stable that is always respected, and Viable seemed to show improvement last time and drops in trip today. However, it all returns us to the selection, which is Real Cool Cat.
Trafalgar Square 14-1 (8-8) Behind, not clear run from 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind High Dyke (9-0) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Viable 33-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Crete (9-2) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Oakley Absolute 6-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, pushed along 4f out, went 2nd 2f out, switched left 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led post, won at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Nanton (9-5) by a shd, 20 ran.
Sound And Vision (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Danceinthevalley (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 3yo stk 0-60 (6) gs.
Real Cool Cat (USA) 8-1 (8-3) Made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on, won at Beverley 1m 2f app fll hcp (5) gf beating Patxaran (9-6) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Opalite 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden to lead well over 2f out, edged left, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 8l behind Banba (8-9) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (6) gf.
Briannie (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 16, 11l behind Hidden Chance (9-4) at Windsor 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gf.
Abstract Folly (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Held up, ridden over 3f out, headway and not clear run over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Michaels Pride (9-8) at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
