always prominent, driven to challenge well over 1f out, soon led, stayed on well under pressure
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
led, hard ridden and strongly challenged over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
Nonrunner
GIFTED APAKAY is proving tricky enough to win with but Ed Dunlop's charge has some very solid form over this trip and we will side with her to get the better of Leicester seller winner Excellent Day. The latter has been dropped 5lbs since that 7f success and so has to be taken seriously here, but is nonetheless worth taking on due to her lack of consistency. Just The Tonic won twice over 7f in June but ran as if she didn't stay over this trip at Thirsk, when the handicapper may also have caught up with her. Luv U Noo has been going the right way and looks a threat, but Gifted Apakay is preferred.
Gifted Apakay (USA) 12-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden to lead and hung left 1f out, no extra and headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Beaumont's Party (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Excellent Day (IRE) 15-8fav (8-7) Chased leaders, hard driven to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, all out, stayed on strongly, won at Leicester 7f 3yo sll (6) gf in Jul beating Eywa (8-7) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Luv U Noo 6-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Zambuka (8-5) at York 1m 3yo app hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Colamandis 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 7th of 9, 17l behind Amoureuse (7-11) at Carlisle 6f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Kirkby's Gem 66-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 7l behind Ellies Image (9-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Just The Tonic 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, weakened 3f out, tailed off, last of 11, 30l behind State Fair (9-1) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Coolella (IRE) 10-3fav (8-8) Chased leaders, outpaced when switched left inside final 2f, soon ridden, never on terms, 5th of 9, 10l behind Amoureuse (7-11) at Carlisle 6f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf.