took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and hung left, no impression final 2f
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
raced on outside, held up, driven and beaten over 2f out
with leader, led narrowly 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, weakened
behind, ridden 2f out, soon no impression on leaders
soon ridden along in mid-division, headway under pressure 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon switched left, led approaching final furlong, driven out
behind, stayed on final furlong nearest finish
towards rear, hard ridden and beaten over 2f out
slowly into stride, behind, brief effort towards nearside rail 2f out, soon no impression
made most, until headed 2f out, rallied to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
held up in touch, one pace and no impression final 2f
always behind
in touch to half way, soon weakened
took keen hold, prominent on outside over 2f
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
In the nursery, from a short list containing Straight Face, Star Strider and Diamond Light, we will side with Star Strider. Feisty is well named for she is not very big but she can battle. That latter quality has seen her progress from sellers to win in handicap company last time and, given that her rating has not been heavily hit, can go well again today. Straight Face has not yet built on earlier promise but a first-time visor might help in that respect. Marine Parade must have been a little hard to assess, while Star Strider made good late gains over six furlongs at Nottingham last time and, as he seems to be improving, gets a good mention. Surprisingly, Diamond Light did not seem to see out seven furlongs at Salisbury last time, where he looked like winning at one point. If he sees it out today, he looks a major player. Only Hope is progressing with racing and, with his stable in good form, rates a player too, while Mystery World is another that has to be considered off a low mark from a good stable. Finally, She's Millie scores well in terms of consistency and Regal Ovation is another potential improver but, overall, we will stick with Star Strider.
Straight Face (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, effort and switched right 2f out, soon chasing leaders and one pace, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Majuro (9-0) at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Inflagranti 12-1 (8-10) Held up, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 10l behind Yerevan (8-6) at Windsor 6f 2yo fll hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Star Strider 11-2 (8-2) Keen, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Everymanforhimself (9-12) at Nottingham 6f 2yo hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Diamond Light (USA) 5-2fav (8-9) Mid-division, switched and headway 2f out, ridden and every chance 1f out, weakened close home, 4th of 11, 4l behind Bright Moon (9-1) at Salisbury 7f 2yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Babylon Sister (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders, 9th of 13, 15l behind Stagehand (8-1) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Only Hope 14-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, effort and headway over 2f out, soon ridden and no further impression, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Duke of Tuscany (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Aug.
Marine Parade 4-1 (9-3) Led until halfway, ridden to lead again over 1f out, hung left and soon headed, weakened closing stages, 5th of 12, 6l behind Wait Watcher (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Feisty 7-1 (8-6) Behind, outpaced 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp (5) gf in Jul beating Tencendur (9-6) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
