prominent, ridden over 3f out, led briefly over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, smooth headway over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, soon led, kept on well
slow into stride, always behind
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, keen early, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
driven start, towards rear, ridden over 4f out, no impression
held up, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest at finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
Oblique gets the confident vote to win this competitive handicap with Bucks and McEldowney rating the main dangers. The selection has improved dramatically and won with plenty in hand last time out when beating Cross Time last time out. Granted she has a penalty for that win but she is a progressive type and is taken to defy the handicapper under conditions that suit. Bucks rates the main danger on his latest fifth behind Ouninpohja but all his best form is with more cut in the ground and for that reason he is opposed. McEldowney would be a danger to all on his best form but he ran as if the handicapper had caught up with him when well behind Sporting Gesture last time out. Queen Tomyra is from a shrewd yard and won well last time out when beating Bowled over so should be noted in the market but this looks tougher. Of the remainder Ski Jump and Millagros look weighted up to their best and are readily opposed and for the winner we return to the progressive Oblique.
Ski Jump (USA) 12-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, staying on when hampered 2f out, no impression after, 12th of 18, 8l behind Camrose (9-12) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Bucks 13-2 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 9l behind Ouninpohja (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Oblique (IRE) 7-4fav (9-2) Held up, headway 4f out, led over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, 8 lengths clear when heavily eased inside final furlong, won at Epsom 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd beating Cross Time (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Trance (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along 3f out, stayed on towards finish, 6th of 15, 6l behind Idealistic (10-10) at York 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Bollin Thomas 33-1 (10-5) Close up in chasing group, closed to chased leaders 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, led entering final furlong, pushed out, won at Epsom 1m 4f amt hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Flying Spirit (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Queen Tomyra (IRE) 2-1fav (9-2) Keen, tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon clear, pushed out, won at W'hampton 1m 4f fll hcp (5) pol in Aug beating Bowled Out (7-13) by 2l, 7 ran.
Millagros (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 10, 3l behind Higher State (9-13) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
McEldowney 11-4fav (8-0) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 10, 7l behind Sporting Gesture (9-4) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (4) gf.
