mid-division, ridden and strong run over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
held up towards rear, ridden and stayed on over 2f out, no chance with first two
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on outside over 4f out, kept on
slowly into stride, raced keen in touch, chased leaders 4f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly final furlong
led, quickened and drew clear 4f out, ridden 2f out, faded and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders until ridden and lost place over 4f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
tracking leaders and keen, lost place 5f out, soon behind
mid-division, ridden and some headway over 4f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, never a factor
mid-division, ridden over 3f out and well behind leaders, stayed on over 1f out, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden and headway when hampered inside final furlong, not recover
Gerard Butler has certainly got the knack of sending out winners here, with an incredible 22 successes from 78 runners this year alone. As such it would be folly to overlook the chance of Madeline Bassett, who is out to defy topweight, offset by David Allan's three-pound allowance. She has produced some notable efforts on the Polytrack, including in Listed company last winter, and although failing to score on turf this summer, put in one or two decent performances, including a fourth at Chester. She meets an in-form opponent in the shape of Guilded Flyer who showed here last time that she is not just a Wolverhampton specialist. Turning the screw from the front, she spreadeagled her rivals and might still be a step ahead of the handicapper. Port Moresby was considered good enough to run in the Cambridgeshire but finished down the field. Neville Callaghan's charge has put in better efforts on his last two outings at Newmarket where he is a familiar sight, but produced a noteworthy effort on the Polytrack in the summer, and certainly has the class to return to winning ways. Blushing Prince needs to be produced at just the right time but may be worth a place along with Analyze, disqualified at Bath last time. All in all, a hard race, but the TEAMtalk vote goes to Madeline Bassett.
