mid-division, headway over 2f out, beaten when short of room entering final furlong
towards rear, headway when hung right over 1f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, edged left under pressure 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened just inside final furlong
led, hard driven over 1f out, edged right entering final furlong, headed and no extra last strides
tracked leaders, hard ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure to lead close home
slowly away, always in rear
mid-division, headway under pressure over 1f out, never dangerous
started very slowly, always in rear
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, lost place inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Debut runner Walleyd is watched on debut as he was bought for just £800 and it is also hard to fancy Ra Junior who has shown nothing since winning a maiden two years ago. Kimberley Downs has won here over this trip before and should appreciate a return to the flat after trying his hand over timber. Ensnare is worth consideration with Paul Hanagan booked for the ride but our vote goes to FREMEN. The pick had King Of The Moors behind last month over course and distance and is looking for a hat-trick. He has a very good record in claimers and platers in recent times and gets the nomination. Abbondanza could prove a danger if he enjoys the step-up in trip alongside his stable-mate. Opus Maximus is officially rated the same as our selection but is bang out of form, so Fremen is the stand-out choice.
Abbondanza (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Led narrowly stands side, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 12th of 17, 12l behind Rosko (9-3) at Ascot 7f ladys hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Finsbury 33-1 (9-1) Dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 26l behind Kiama Bay (9-2) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Fremen (USA) 6-1 (9-3) Prominent, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Redcar 1m clm stks (4) gf in Sep beating King's Sabre (8-6) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kimberley Downs (USA) 9-2fav (8-0) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 8l behind Grand Diamond (7-10) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
King of The Moors (USA) 9-2 (8-8) Always prominent, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Bencoolen (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm stks (6) gd in Sep.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 8l behind Amethyst Dawn (8-9) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Beverly Hill Billy 13-2 (9-6) Keen, well within rear, last of 11, 11l behind Mazaaya (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f hcap (4) gd in Aug '08.
Ra Junior (USA) 25-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Bencoolen (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm stks (6) gd in Sep.
Anna's Boy 50-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, mid-division, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, never on terms, 9th of 14, 21l behind Hakuna Matata (9-3) at Newcastle 7f mdn auc stks (6) hvy.
Walleyd (IRE) Cape Cross colt out of Najmat Jumairah.
Balance On Time (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Dwelt, held up towards rear and keen, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 41l behind Sharp Sovereign (9-6) at Hamilton 1m 3f app hcp (6) gs in Sep.
Ensnare 9-2 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Totally Focussed (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Rosbertini 28-1 (8-9) Always in rear, tailed off and eased final 2f, last of 12, well behind Chookie Avon (8-6) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.