prominent, effort 2f out, no extra over 1f out, stayed on same pace
in rear, steady headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
always towards rear, weakened over 2f out, soon tailed off
led until headed 4f out, weakened from 3f out, tailed off
held up, headway to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, driven out
raced wide, held up, chased leaders 5f out, effort 2f out, no extra, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, towards rear, headway 2f out, effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong
always behind, hard ridden over 2f out, no chance final 2f
pressed leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on same pace
took keen hold, tracked leader to over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Faster ground and an extra quarter of a mile should suit Novikov, who can take this competitive handicap, with Gulf Express, Pippa Greene, Viva La Flag and Risque Heights others considered. Novikov was last seen beaten by nine lengths on very testing ground at York in July, but prior to that took a mile handicap at Newmarket. He is clearly unexposed at this trip, which his pedigree suggests will suit, and the bloodlines also infer that faster ground would be advantageous, so he can put that lastest run behind him and score. Gulf Express was hammered in the Britannia Stakes last time but is another who has looked as though this step up in trip would suit and he can improve. Pippa Green won over this trip in a Lingfield maiden when making his debut in March and has not been seen since. He beat a horse subsequently rated in the mid 70s by four lengths that day and so his mark of 82 looks pretty fair. Any money for him would probably be significant. Viva La Flag steps up in trip after winning at Sandown over a mile but that is not certain to suit, and Risque Heights, who was an easy winner of a Lingfield last time, could be a better proposition as one proven over the trip. Not an easy race to assess then, but Novikov gets the nod.
Novikov 5-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, beaten over 1f out, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Mutajarred (8-9) at York 1m 3yo hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Gulf Express (USA) 22-1 (8-3) Towards rear, headway 2f out, kept on steadily, nearest finish, 15th of 30, 9l behind Eddie Jock (9-7) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Eau Good 16-1 (9-2) Held up, raced centre 7f out, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, no extra final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Winter Sunrise (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Surrey Spinner 8-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 16l behind Record Breaker (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Pippa Greene 9-1 (9-3) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung right under pressure and stayed on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) pol in Mar beating Old Etonian (9-3) by a nk, 9 ran.
Viva La Flag (USA) 8-1 (8-11) Prominent, headway to chase leader over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, comfortably, won at Sandown 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Jul beating Know The Law (9-2) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Risque Heights 5-2fav (9-3) Held up in rear, smooth headway on outside 3f out, led on bit 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn aut stk (6) pol beating Tropical Strait (9-12) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Radical Views 9-2 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 13l behind Rosbay (9-1) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) hvy in Jul.
Hannicean 12-1 (8-9) Steadied start, held up towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 9l behind Ragheed (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Opera Crown (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Chased leading pair until over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 7, 22l behind Raffaas (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 5f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Love On Sight 33-1 (8-4) Always towards rear, 13th of 16, 8l behind Docofthebay (8-13) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Noticeable (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 12th of 14, 9l behind Sanbuch (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Kilburn 25-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 10l behind Oceana Gold (9-0) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd.
