held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on well
held up, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, hung left under pressure inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, soon hung right under pressure, kept on
prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon faded
held up in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
always prominent, led just over 1f out, all out
Celtic Spa gets a narrow vote over Certain Justice, Finsbury, Middleton Grey and Further Outlook in a trappy sprint handicap. Celtic Spa has been in a rich vein of form of late, winning two of his last three starts. Both wins came over seven furlongs, and he was then tried over a mile last at Chepstow where he was sent off as favourite, but never really looked like getting there as he ended up in third place. He is now dropped right back to six furlongs, but they are sure to go a good pace, and that will suit the Welsh raider down to the ground. Certain Justice is another that drops back in trip after failing to last out the mile at Nottingham last time. Given that he had earlier come late on the scene to score over seven furlongs at Leicester, that last run has to be classed as disappointing. Further Outlook is on a roll at present and is sure to go well for new trainer Gay Kelleway, but has more to do in this company, while Finsbury won readily at Kempton but has yet to prove himself on Turf after just two outings away from the all-weather. Middleton Grey has won the last two runnings of this event, but does not line up in the best of form prior to his hat-trick bid, and all in all, we would rather side with Celtic Spa.
Calypso King 17-2 (9-7) Held up and keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 5l behind Waterline Twenty (8-13) at Chester 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Nautical 16-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always towards rear on stands' side, 16th of 24, 5l behind Fantasy Believer (9-2) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-95 (2) gf.
Paris Bell 7-1 (9-6) Behind, outpaced 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 6l behind Folga (10-0) at Redcar 6f hcap (3) frm in Jun.
Finsbury 12-1 (9-4) Held up, steady headway from 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jul beating Mataram (8-13) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Celtic Spa (IRE) 11-4fav (9-10) Held up in touch, headway 3f out, soon ridden to chase winner, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Rakata (10-0) at Chepstow 1m fll hcp (5) gf.
Certain Justice (USA) 4-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Coleridge (10-0) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Middleton Grey 16-1 (9-11) Started slowly, always outpaced in rear, last of 10, 17l behind Caustic Wit (9-2) at Epsom 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Harvest Warrior 11-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 6l behind Carnivore (9-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Further Outlook (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Made all, strongly challenged from over 1f out, soon hung right, stayed on gamely, won at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Jul beating Sweet Pickle (9-2) by a nk, 12 ran.
Hits Only Jude (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Raced wide, prominent, lost place after 1f, soon behind, 9th of 11, 9l behind Steel City Boy (8-6) at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Bond Diamond 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and eged left over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Hiccups (9-12) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Milton's Keen 50-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 14, 15l behind Mataram (9-4) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Clearing Sky (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 8l behind Heavens Walk (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Ermine Grey 7-2fav (8-10) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 9, 6l behind William's Way (9-4) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Misty Princess 16-1 (8-5) In touch, chased leader 3f out, ridden and edged right approaching final furlong, weakened inside last, 8th of 13, 6l behind Drury Lane (8-9) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
