behind, ridden, headway over 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, led over 2f out, stayed on well
held up, effort over 2f out, no impression
behind, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
mid-division, weakened 2f out
in touch, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, stayed on to take 3rd close home
towards rear, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway, not clear run over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on, not reach leaders
with leader, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, weakened 2f out
With three horses rated in the 80's, four in the 70's, this has the makings of a good claimer and we will plump for FREMEN ahead of La Columbina. Despite top weight and not being well-treated at the weights, Dandy Nicholls' formerly very smart gelding is taken to oblige. A course and distance winner back in 2007, he is fairly lightly-raced for an eight-year-old and assuming that the course doesn't receive further rain then he should go well. Writ returns from a long absence and is a bit hit and miss, but the most interesting returning horse is Desert Destiny. With cheek-pieces on for the first time, this former Godolphin inmate must be respected. Rated 110 at his best, he was picked up at the 2007 sales for just 3000 guineas and it will be interesting to see how he moves in the betting and looks in the paddock. Incline makes the trip over the Irish Sea and should not be overlooked, La Columbina chases the hat-trick of claiming wins but this is the toughest task to date, whilst Abbondanza won his only start in this company this season and is a major player. A top contest this in the context of the racing today and preference is for Fremen.
Fremen (USA) 22-1 (8-9) Switched far side soon after start, behind, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 16, 6l behind Bel Cantor (8-0) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Abbondanza (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, headway and prominent 3f out, soon ridden, led briefly over 2f out, kept on one pace after, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Kings Point (9-6) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Wind Star 10-3 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon no extra, last of 5, 9l behind Casual Affair (9-6) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Mean Machine (IRE) 50-1 (8-2) Prominent, raced keenly, ridden over 4f out, soon dropped out, last of 13, well behind Hurlingham (10-0) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Aug.
Middlemarch (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden 3f out, no impression, 8th of 9, 10l behind Superior Star (8-8) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Writ (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Chased leader 6f out, ridden and every chance when squeezed out and lost place over 2f out, behind after, last of 11, 11l behind Ashes Regained (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (4) pol in May '07.
August Gale (USA) 8-1 (8-11) With leader, ridden and lost place 3f out, soon behind, last of 8, 36l behind Prince Kalamoun (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Desert Destiny 9-2 (9-1) Chased leader until ridden 2f out, hung left over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 6l behind Kilworth (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (3) pol in Oct '06.
Brace of Doves 100-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, weakened final furlong, last of 11, 8l behind Oeuf A La Neige (8-12) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (6) gf.
Incline (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression in moderate 7th 2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 8l behind Mutakarrim (9-7) at Clonmel 1m 2f app clm gs.
Ignition 40-1 (8-9) Chased leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened and behind, last of 7, 22l behind Grethel (8-10) at Haydock 1m 3f fll hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Jane of Arc (FR) 9-1 (10-7) With leader, led 8f out, headed over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 20l behind Mister Pete (10-8) at Hamilton 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gs.
Carry On Cleo 7-1 (8-9) With leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, kept on until no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Sorrento Moon (8-12) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (5) gs in Aug.
La Columbina 15-8fav (7-9) Held up, headway to lead 3f out, stayed on final furlong, ridden out, won at Newbury 1m 2f clm (4) gs in Aug beating North Parade (9-6) by a nk, 7 ran.
