held up in rear, not clear run from 2f out until headway and switched right over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, never able to challenge
led, ridden and headed 2f out, hampered over 1f out, one pace
always prominent, led 2f out, edged left under pressure over 1f out, ran on
slightly hampered start, held up in rear, not clear run inside final 2f, never dangerous
chased leaders, switched right inside final furlong, kept on same pace under pressure
chased leaders, ran on under pressure to go 2nd well inside final furlong, not troubled winner
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
always in rear
dwelt, soon close up, ridden well over 1f out, weakening when not much room inside final furlong
Spirit of Coniston makes plenty of appeal here but narrow preference is for STEELCUT, with Wicked Wilma also entitled to make the frame. The selection put in a decent effort in a competitive Newmarket handicap last month. He is well treated on the pick of his form and he showed enough last time to suggest that his turn would not be far away. Spirit Of Coniston looks the obvious danger as he has plenty of course and distance form and he was far from disgraced last time at Chepstow. He had previously been an easy winner at Catterick and he looks poised for another big run. Wicked Wilma is another who has gone well here in the past and she wasn't beaten far last time when she finished third behind Tagula Breeze at Thirsk. A reproduction of that effort would make her competitive, but she doesn't win very often and on that basis she is probably worth taking on again today. Distant Sun has lost the plot of late but the drop back to this more suitable trip could make him interesting. Preference is for Steelcut who gets our pick.
Steelcut 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 15, 5l behind Lenny Bee (9-3) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Distant Sun (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 17l behind Bonnie Prince Blue (9-6) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
Spirit of Coniston 3-1fav (9-3) Led 2f, remained prominent, every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 5th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Maggie Kate (8-12) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-52 (6) gs.
Wicked Wilma (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, driven and kept on well final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Tagula Breeze (9-2) at Thirsk 5f all hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Blazing Heights 8-1 (8-12) Went left and dwelt start, always behind, 9th of 11, 9l behind Tagula Breeze (9-2) at Thirsk 5f all hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
San Diego Prince 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, no extra and weakened, 9th of 12, 16l behind The Gnathologist (8-11) at Down Royal 7f hcp 47-65 in Aug.
Dalarossie 12-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden halfway, weakened 1f out, 6th of 12, 4l behind King Of Swords (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcap (5) gf in Aug.
Adab (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Led, headed well over 1f out, soon beaten, 14th of 16, 27l behind Bright Falcon (9-2) at Ripon 6f app sell stks (6) gd in Jun.
Town And Gown 40-1 (8-8) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong nearest finish, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Half A Crown (9-4) at Newcastle 5f mdn stks (5) gs.
Ourbelle 80-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 13, 20l behind Varinia (8-8) at Ripon 6f app sell stks (6) gd in Aug '08.
Hosanna 28-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong, 8th of 12, 5l behind Darcy's Pride (9-0) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-55 (6) gf in Aug.
Clanachy 100-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 14l behind Dance Card (9-3) at Newcastle 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Aug.
Handcuff 12-1 (8-5) Held up, always in rear, last of 14, 5l behind Maggie Kate (8-12) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-52 (6) gs.
Strensall 25-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon one pace, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Silvanus (8-6) at Catterick 5f clm stks (6) gf in Aug.
