chased leaders over 5f
led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, soon weakened
chased leaders, effort on inside approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, not reaced leaders
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
raced wide, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
fly jump start, slowly into stride, always in rear
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always in rear
held up in touch, ridden to lead entering final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, not reached leaders
raced wide, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Scrummage gets the confident vote in the opener with Tamagin and Stonecrabstomorrow rated as the main dangers. The selection is a likeable colt and he hails from a top yard. He caught the eye with a good second behind Kasumi at Sandown last time when he was only beaten by a neck. He has the very capable Jamie Hamblett in the plate today and from a good draw he should take all the beating. Tamagin loves it round here and he scored over the course and distance when beating Jimmy The Guesser last time. He is clearly in good heart and with Kevin Ghunowa doing the steering he has an obvious chance. Stonecrabstomorrow was a good second behind Malcheek at Wolverhampton last time when he ran right up to his best. He has won here before and should be capable of making the frame. Kasumi has beaten our selection but he looks opposable on these terms and he does appear to have gone off the boil since then. We are therefore happy to return to Scrummage who is taken to land the spoils in a competitive opener.
Guest Connections 25-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, mid-division, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, 12th of 13, 19l behind Ceremonial Jade (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcap (3) pol.
Tamagin (USA) 11-4fav (8-10) Made all, ridden clear 2f out, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in May beating Jimmy The Guesser (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Jimmy The Guesser 8-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, prominent, not clear run inside final 2f, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 14, 2l behind Felicitous (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept.
Louie Louie (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 13, 4l behind Mosharref (8-12) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (3) gf in Sept.
I'm In Love (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders, 9th of 18, 5l behind Carnivore (8-12) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Dune Melody (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, eased final furlong, last of 7, 33l behind Daniella (9-11) at Goodwood 7f fll hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Inaminute (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Mid-division, not clear run 2f out, no headway over 1f out, soon weakend, 10th of 12, 4l behind Silver Dip (9-4) at Goodwood 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Scrummage 6-4fav (9-3) Led until headed inside final furlong, stayed on no extra final 100 yards, always just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Kasumi (8-7) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Zennerman (IRE) 25-1 (7-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Phluke (8-11) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sept.
Rubenstar (IRE) 10-1 (8-3) Towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, every chance 1f out, faded, 5th of 14, 4l behind Kingsholm (8-13) at Bath 1m hcap (4) gd.
Carmenero (GER) 11-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway on outer over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, no extra and headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, hd behind Felicitous (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept.
Kasumi 12-1 (8-10) Chased leaders stand's side, every chance 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 16, 13l behind Quintrell (9-0) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Sleeping Storm (IRE) 12-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon lost place, 14th of 16, 9l behind Trimlestown (8-13) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.
Stonecrabstomorrow (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, hampered, outpaced over 3f out, rallied 2f out, soon edged right and chasing winner, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Malcheek (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
