in touch to over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
tracked leader to just over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway to chase leaders and effort over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, not reached leaders
led, stayed on gamely from over 1f out, caught close home and quickly outpaced by winner
held up behind mid-division, ridden well over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
towards rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on, not troubled leaders
towards rear, plenty to do well over 1f out, quickened and strong run inside final furlong, led close home and soon asserted
pulled hard in touch, went 2nd just over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
slowly into stride, held up behind, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress and outpaced over 1f out
tracked leaders to over 2f out, weakened quickly from 2f out
ROYAL STRAIGHT is our selection with Speyside and Princess India the others for the shortlist. Royal Straight was not entitled to win a recent claimer at the track on official figures but he did it in some style and on that evidence, fledgling handler Ben Pollock, looks like he might have a lot of fun during the winter with this Andrew Balding castoff. Speyside shapes as if this ten furlongs will suit. He tries cheekpieces rather than the visor and blinkers that he has previously worn. Princess India is a course and distance specialist. She can be forgiven her recent run as she had to race on the outside of the field throughout. Freedom Song was well beaten on handicap debut and has proved frustrating. Brave Mave is stepped back up in trip having shown little over a mile. Smarterthanuthink has often been backed this season without little in the way of obvious success. Danse The Blues is watched in the market on a first run in handicaps. Similar comments apply to James Pollard, who ran far better than his finishing position suggested, when seventh over course-and-distance a fortnight ago. Royal Straight is the tentative selection in a race where plenty of dangers lurk.
Freedom Song 16-1 (9-6) Behind, pushed along 4f out, never a factor, 7th of 11, 6l behind Rescue Me (8-8) at Windsor 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Jul.
Soggy Dollar 5-1 (9-7) Held up behind leaders, effort over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 44l behind Shaylee (8-4) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Royal Straight 20-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, settled in mid-division, headway 3f out, effort 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led 1f out, driven and kept on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Sept beating Ogre (9-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Brave Mave 8-1 (8-10) Raced wide, held up mid-division, hampered, stumbled over 2f out, 10th of 14, 7l behind Shanzu (9-1) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Sept.
Speyside (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up mid division, headway under pressure 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Le Chiffre (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Valento 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Sofia's Star (8-11) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Smarterthanuthink (USA) 4-1 (8-13) Tracked leader and keen, ridden, lost place over 2f out, 7th of 8, 8l behind Princess Flame (9-9) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Nawaahi (IRE) 28-1 (8-4) Mid-division until lost place halfway, last of 12, 10l behind Errigal Lad (8-12) at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Sept.
Danse The Blues 20-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden 4f out, headway over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Otaared (9-3) at Nottingham 1m mdn stk (5) gs.
Princess India (IRE) 4-1fav (8-13) Raced wide in mid-division, driven to chase leading pair 3f out, unable to quicken final furlong and lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Miss Pelling (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
James Pollard (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Pulled hard early, held up towards rear, running on when hampered on rail inside final furlong, no chance, 7th of 12, 6l behind Miss Pelling (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
American Madness (USA) 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Carmela Maria (9-2) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Redsensor 14-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 16, 14l behind All In The Red (9-2) at Leicester 7f 3yo sll (6) gd in Sept.
Just Mossie 22-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, led just inside final furlong, headed well inside, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Star Choice (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
