always prominent, keen, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, not quicken
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mistake 1st, towards rear, lost touch from 3 out
prominent until weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last, not reach leaders
held up, headway 3 out, every chance next, ridden and found nil
led until 5th, chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
We are anticipating another Polished performance, you might say, with Victor Dartnall's runner getting the all ahead of Stars Delight, Goss, Alethea Gee, Investment Force and Honan. The selection is chasing a fourth successive win here and should go well in that bid. Admittedly, he has been raised a further eight pounds for the latest of them, which came here, but he should still make a bold bid for victory. The lightly raced Stars Delight has quickly been dropped to a more realistic mark, the handicapper having taken exception, in a manner of speaking, to his having won two novice events, so he gets a good shout, while Goss ran well over course and distance last time and, if getting back to near the best of his form of 2003, can be given a shout. Alethea Gee comes here on the back of a solid Uttoxeter win, but has been raised seven pounds for that, although he can still go well. Percipient also comes here in good heart, admittedly mainly from chasing , while much as Investment Force has yet to build on his Southwell novice win, this is probably an easier level than he has contested of late. Honan is well weighted based on his chasing form and is possibly the stronger of the two Martin Pipe entries, Critical Stage has shown enough to suggest he might bag some money, and Olimpo showed improvement last time and can improve again. However, the vote goes to Polished.
Goss 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, every chance 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Room To Room Gold (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Jul.
Stars Delight (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up, headway 7th, ridden next, stayed on flat, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Quiet Water (10-11) at Stratford 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in May '03.
Critical Stage (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Towards rear, stayed on approaching last, never dangerous, 10th of 18, 11l behind Qabas (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in May.
Chakra 25-1 (11-8) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Miss Lehman (10-3) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in May, 18 ran.
Honan (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost touch 4 out, never on terms, 8th of 12, well behind Sardagna (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Jul.
Percipient 11-4fav (10-12) Prominent, chased winner from 5th, no impression from 4 out, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Nazimabad (11-0) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gf in Jul.
Polished 7-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Jun beating Imperial Rocket (11-6) by 4l, 11 ran.
Queen Excalibur 12-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 6th, led after next, clear last, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Jul beating Alethea Gee (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
