in rear, pushed low over 5f out, soon beaten
raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f to over 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leader, effort and every chance over 1f out, ridden and kept on, no extra towards finish
held up, headway on outside over 3f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on towards finish
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
MONTAFF is the selection with Alanbrooke and Radegund Abbey also noted for consideration. The half-brother to Tangled Up In Blue made a very pleasing start to his racing career when second at Sandown Park on a similar surface last month. Unfortunately he will be priced accordingly but with the cost of diesel as it is at the moment Mick Channon is unlikely to be bringing him here to sample the fog on the Tyne. Alanbrooke's relatives include Alborada. A stoutly-bred individual, he may be one to note with next season in mind. Radegund Abbey had a bad day at the office at Hamilton on introduction, but it's hard to believe that he is as bad as that suggests. Akmal was allowed off at any price he liked on introduction. He hails from a family that includes Haami and Erhaab. Graycliffe was the subject of strong market support at Chester but never showed. Elevate Bambina doesn't look special on any formbook evidence although Richard Whitaker has hit a rich seam of form lately. Penolva cost 50 000 guineas at the sales and could be another middle-distance prospect to watch if her breeding is anything to go by. Hard Luck Story appears best of the rest.
Akmal 28-1 (9-3) Behind mid-division, ridden along over 3f out, soon struggling, never in contention, 9th of 11, 16l behind Four Winds (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept.
Graycliffe (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) In rear, pushed along and struggling over 2f out, 10th of 12, 25l behind Akhenaten (9-3) at Chester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Sept.
Hard Luck Story 9-1 (9-3) Chased winner, ridden over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Quai D'Orsay (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 2yo mdn (5) sft in Sept.
Montaff 16-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway towards centre 2f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on well, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Classic Vintage (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Sept.
Radegund Abbey 8-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, never dangerous, last of 8, 23l behind Quai D'Orsay (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 2yo mdn (5) sft in Sept.
Royal Trooper (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 8l behind The Miniver Rose (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Sept.
Alanbrooke 15-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, behind, headway from 2f out, kept on, not trouble leaders over 1f out, 5th of 11, 7l behind Four Winds (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept.
Amba 80-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden 3f out, never troubled leaders, 11th of 13, 25l behind Amethyst Dawn (9-0) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) sft in Aug.
Elevate Bambina 50-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 16l behind Sri Kandi (9-0) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Sept.
Haulage Lady (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Swerved right at start and was soon in touch, effort over 3f, soon beaten, last of 11, 43l behind The Miniver Rose (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Sept.
Penolva (IRE) Galileo filly, half-sister to middle-distance winner Far From Old.
