mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead over 1f out, drifted left inside final furlong, kept on
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase winner inside last, one pace close home
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong nearing finish
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
slowly into stride and always behind
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
always behind, lost touch over 3f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, tracked leaders, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
The shortlist contains Neon Blue, Pure Imagination, Flying Bantam and Kirkby's Treasure, with the vote going to the last-named. Pax is well weighted based on his winning form of May 2004 and he comes into this race in good form following a good run at Ayr. However, strictly speaking Neon Blue just holds him based on their York runs on September 4th, and he has also never won beyond six furlongs. The sole course and distance winner in the line-up, though, is Kirkby's Treasure, and he comes here on a winning mark and in fair form, so he has a fair profile for the contest. Prince Dayjur is now just a pound above a winning Turf mark, and recent Newmarket winner Pure Imagination holds claims from just a three-pounds higher mark than for that victory. Breaking Shadow and Royal Challenge have career-high marks to defy to score, while Baron Rhodes is now back to a winning mark, although this is not normally her time of year. Finally, Flying Bantam is back to a good mark now based on winning April form, and Burley Flame is on a winning Turf mark from July 2004. However, for today, and given that he has a better draw than a number of others given good mentions, we will side with Kirkby's Treasure.
Royal Challenge 10-1 (9-5) Mid-dividsion, pushed and headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 7th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Sir Nod (8-7) at York 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Red Romeo 14-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 9l behind Lord of The East (8-9) at Doncaster 7f hcp (4) gd.
Rafferty (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Polar Magic (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Burley Flame 10-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Logsdail (8-9) at Sandown 7f hcp (4) gd.
Breaking Shadow (IRE) 14-1 (8-3) Towards rear, some headway over 2f out, ridden and soon weakened, 10th of 12, 12l behind Sea Hunter (9-0) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Kirkby's Treasure 9-1 (8-9) Behind, ridden halfway, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, stayed on well towards finish, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Bo McGinty (9-0) at Carlisle 6f hcp (4) gf.
Pure Imagination (IRE) 14-1 (8-0) Held up mid-division, ridden to lead 1f out, held on well, won at Newmarket 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Najeebon (9-4) by a nk, 15 ran.
Pax 15-2 (9-2) Close up, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Zanjeer (8-12) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gd.
