towards rear, headway over 1f to chase leaders, soon one pace
prominent, ridden when every chance inside, no extra
made all, pressed final furlong, kept on gamely
in touch, one pace final furlong
behind, stayed on well to chase leaders from over 1f out, not reached winner
mid-division, weakened 2f out
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden over 2f out, faded
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, soon one pace
in touch, weakened halfway
always towards rear
Another tough handicap to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading fancies, but the principals look to be Caustic Wit, Blue Tomato and Portmeirion, with the tentative vote given to Blue Tomato. The selection finished in mid-division in a much better race behind Idle Power last time out. This looks much easier and, despite his big weight, he is taken to score from what looks a good draw. Caustic Wit rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Certain Justice but he is becoming hard to win with, and for that reason he is opposed. Portmeirion won well last time out when beating Labelled With Love but she will do well to win this more competitive affair under her penalty. Glencalvie is another worthy of respect on his best form but he may just need the run after a 309-day absence. That said, he should be noted in the market. Cayman Breeze has been in fair form of late and is another with place claims but he ran as if the handicapper had caught up with him when fifth behind Lizarazu last time and, for that reason, he is passed over on this occasion. Of the remainder, Nivernais is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Blue Tomato.
Petardias Magic (IRE) (9-2) Never reached challenging position, 7th of 10, 6l behind Musadif (9-2) at Taby 6f lst stk gd in May.
Caustic Wit (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Certain Justice (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) fbs in Jul.
Nivernais 4-1 (11-6) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind Devon Flame (11-7) at Salisbury 6f amt hcp (5) frm in Jul.
Glencalvie (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Mid-division, hard driven over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 13, 15l behind Polar Magic (8-10) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (D2) pol in Oct.
Cayman Breeze 13-2 (9-13) Bumped start, behind, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 5th of 18, 5l behind Lizarazu (9-10) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Portmeirion 11-2jt-fav (9-5) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) gd in Jul beating Labelled With Love (9-6) by 1l, 15 ran.
Blue Tomato 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 6l behind Idle Power (9-4) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Stokesies Wish 7-1 (9-3) Held up behind, headway inside final 2f, stayed on, nearest finish, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Extremely Rare (8-13) at Windsor 6f hcp (5) gs.
