in touch, headway far side of group over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to threaten
tracked leaders, 2nd going well 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well, driven out
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader and led main group, led and hung left over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, lost 2nd and no extra final 100 yards
steadied start, pulled hard in rear, ridden over 1f out, never a factor
held up in last pair, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten
held up in touch, headway near side of group over 2f out, went 2nd final 100 yards, kept on towards finish
raced alone towards far side, led, joined main group over 3f out, headed over 2f out, chased leader until pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Counter Spirit has won a couple of handicaps over 7f including at this track last time and an apprentice’s allowance negates most of a 6lb rise. But PRIVATE VIEW (NAP) benefitted for the application of a visor when runner-up over a mile at Kempton on her latest start and Sir Michael Stoute’s filly can open her account in this. 1m2f in soft going proved beyond Agincourt at Ayr last month but she’d won in novice company over today’s trip at Ripon earlier and Kempton winner Catoca is another expected to do better returning to a mile today. Wind Storm didn’t take to Chester last time but has a shout now handicapping for the first time.
Counter Spirit (IRE) 11-10fav (9-4) Chased leaders, led approaching final 2f, ridden clear final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Newcastle 7f hcp fll (5) pol in Sep beating Bibbidibobbidiboo (9-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
Agincourt (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 25 1/2l behind Sarvi (8-3) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp fll (4) sft in Sep.
Wind Storm 5-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 7, 10 3/4l behind Caradoc (9-2) at Chester 1m stks (4) gd in May.
Catoca (USA) 9-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, 8th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Lexington Empire (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Plansina 8-1 (9-9) Pulled hard in rear, never on terms, 11th of 13, 19 3/4l behind Motahassen (8-12) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Midnight Vixen 20-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, soon lost 2nd, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 7l behind Time Chaser (9-6) at Sandown 1m hcp fll (4) gf in Jun.
Ce La Vie 16-1 (8-10) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, kept on one pace and no impression, 4th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Sarvi (8-3) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp fll (4) sft in Sep.
Private View 16-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, took 2nd close home, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Golden Iris (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp fll (4) pol in Oct.
Corked (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Lucky Violet (8-11) at Ayr 1m hcp (6) gd in Jul.