held up towards rear, driven over 3f out, soon no impression, weakened 2f out
made all, challenged from over 2f out, soon driven, stayed on gamely
tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, soon under pressure, weakened and hung left well over 1f out
prominent, ridden and effort 3f out, stayed on under pressure
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, lost place over 2f out
GALA EVENING is proving to be a bit of a revelation recently and can complete the hat-trick at the main expense of Viper and Callisto Moon. A few of these will no doubt be seen over hurdles again at some point this season, but Gala Evening is fancied to win again before a return to that sphere. Jim Old has campaigned his six-year-old to three flat victories, all on the all-weather. However he handles this sort of ground well over jumps and is fancied to complete the hat-trick after a near six month break (has gone well fresh before). Viper won at Goodwood well earlier in the month and needs respect although his best runs have come on quicker ground. Grande Caiman is not straight-forward but he is now well-treated on old form, whilst Absolut Power and Ned Ludd need to improve on recent performances. Callisto Moon, a capable hurdler, completes the field and whilst his profile suggests at a place being the best he can hope for, he is not one to rule out. A competitive heat, with Gala Evening given the vote. (Nick Doggett)
Gala Evening 2-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, led just inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr beating The Carlton Cannes (9-4) by 1l, 5 ran.
Viper 12-1 (9-10) Dwelt, headway and soon prominent, led 9f out, clear into straight, drew right away final 2f, unchallenged, won at Goodwood 1m 6f mdn stk (5) gf beating Pure Song (8-10) by 8l, 8 ran.
Grande Caiman (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Mid-division, steady headway 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Ascalon (10-0) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sept.
Absolut Power (GER) 33-1 (10-0) Led 2f, chased leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Keenes Day (9-7) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) In touch, headway to lead over 3f out until over 2f out, weakened soon after, 8th of 16, 14l behind Kokkokila (9-0) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Callisto Moon 15-2 (9-8) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, not clear run inside final furlong, ran on well, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Pseudonym (9-4) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
