planted in stalls, refused to race
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never on terms
in rear, ridden headway entering final furlong, soon hung left, ran on, not reached leaders
close up, headway entering final furlong, led well inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders over 2f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd final stride
close up, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to go 2nd final strides
keen towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
keen, held up, ridden 2f out, never on terms
Spirited Acclaim is weighted to reverse course and distance running with Conjuring three weeks ago and will be backed to end a frustrating sequence of near-misses. Nice Thoughts also scores highly in the consistency ratings but he's still seeking a first win and the handicapper refuses to relinquish his grip. MY STRATEGY was only collared close home off this mark at Nottingham last time - he can hang on this time. Dream Tune and Optima Petamus are others to consider with the latter open to more improvement than most.
Dream Tune 7-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, switched left over 5f out, one pace and no impression from over 1f out, 9th of 15, 7 3/4l behind Cincuenta Pasos (9-0) at Newmarket 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Hanno (USA) 8-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 13l behind Corton Lad (9-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Embankment 25-1 (9-12) Very slowly away in rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 10th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Jack Of Diamonds (9-11) at Sandown 1m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Spirited Acclaim (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Conjuring (8-9) at Newmarket 1m hcp fll (5) sft in Jul.
Nice Thoughts (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Held up in last trio, pushed along over 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Hot Mustard (9-10) at Sandown 1m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
My Strategy (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Fantasy Gladiator (9-11) at Nottingham 1m hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Optima Petamus 4-1 (8-10) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 11 1/4l behind Sarsted (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Wu Zetian 9-1 (9-4) Soon prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 26 1/4l behind Molten Lava (8-13) at Windsor 1m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Conjuring (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Held up, switched to far side rail after 3f, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m hcp fll (5) sft in Jul beating Spirited Acclaim (9-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Norwegian Reward (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, driven over 1f out, switched right well inside final furlong, unable to get on terms, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Guaracha (9-12) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Gannicus 7-2 (9-9) Tracked winner, pushed along over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 9l behind Royal Normandy (8-7) at Sandown 7f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
