close up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
in touch in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd close home
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
led, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, driven and still every chance inside final furlong until no extra close home
Swiss Storm, a winning two-year-old, only had three runs last season and moved stables before a very encouraging reappearance over the course and distance last month. Tadleel appeared to be suited by the fitting of cheekpieces at Goodwood so it's a surprise they are left off here. Balgair went up 3lb for his Brighton victory but defied the extra in very good style on the track and trip and another 4lb rise doesn't look excessive. Tom Tate doesn't send many here so the presence of Destroyer is interesting and he's 1lb lower than his last winning mark. PERISHER, who has a smart pedigree, landed a Thirsk novices' event and doesn't look too harshly treated for his handicap debut so gets the vote as Woody Bay was suited by soft going here last week when landing a lower-class handicap.
Swiss Storm 25-1 (9-8) Ponied to start early, switched left leaving stalls to lead field to race far side, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Ripp Orf (9-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Tadleel 12-1 (9-6) Close up, headway to lead narrowly over 1f out, driven and headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind George (9-1) at Goodwood 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Balgair 7-2 (9-3) Held up in last, switched left and headway over 2f out, soon chasing leader, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Newmarket 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun beating Medieval (10-2) by 1l, 8 ran.
Destroyer 3-1 (9-12) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind Recollect (8-13) at Leicester 1m hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Perisher 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Thirsk 1m stks (5) gd in Jul beating Addis Ababa (9-7) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Woody Bay 20-1 (9-0) Keen made all stand side, ridden over 1f out, driven out, gamely, won at Newmarket 1m hcp (5) gs in Jul beating Keepup Kevin (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.