tracked leaders, joined leaders after 4th, hard ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
chased leaders, reminders from 3rd, ridden approaching 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out, led and went slightly left 2 out, comfortably
mid-division, headway after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up, some headway when mistake 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
never fluent, soon behind, hung badly right on bend after 4th, pulled up
prominent, led after 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, slightly hampered and mistake next, no chance with winner
keen, led, hit 2nd, headed after 4th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
If in doubt, go for the Martin Pipe runner, so The Castilian catches the eye here, with his biggest dangers reckoned to be Double Kudos, Election Seeker, Penny Island and Gortumblo. The selection is another French import, in which country he displayed some promise, albeit at a modest level. The bottom line is that it is not easy to fully assess this race and the Pipe stable does well in these types of events. The betting, however, should be monitored with interest. Double Kudos showed some Flat promise, while Dream Along is bred to win Group races, but has been very disappointing in his career to date. Election Seeker won a mile handicap at Salisbury from a mark of 61 on the Flat, so at least has shown ability, while Forfeiter proved ultimately of fairly similar Flat ability, although he has actually won twice on the all-weather. Gortumblo has also shown some Flat promise and seemed to improve when stepped up in trip, while Penny Island is very much respected from the Alan King stable, and on breeding and the fact that he displayed some promise on the Flat. Stock Exchange also has likeable breeding but, overall, we have to side with The Castilian.
Double Kudos (FR) 14-1 (8-13) Led until headed over 3f out, weakened from over 2f out, last of 8, 26l behind Baddam (8-9) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul (Flat).
Dream Along 16-1 (9-0) Unruly in stalls and unseated rider in race won by Bridge Loan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Feb, 14 ran (Flat).
Election Seeker (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, steady headway from 3f out, led over 1f out, went clear final furlong, won at Salisbury 1m 3yo app hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Celtic Spa (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran (Flat).
Forfeiter (USA) 14-1 (8-0) Led, joined 3f out, headed over 2f out, 4th under pressure approaching straight, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Akram (9-10) at Galway 1m hcp 60-92 gf in Jul (Flat).
Penny Island (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 14, 12l behind Celtic Spa (8-12) at Salisbury 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
Stock Exchange (IRE) King's Best gelding, half-brother to 3 winners on the Flat.
The Castilian (FR) (8-3) Rear until some late headway, 7th of 12, 8l behind Stendeck (8-13) at Chantilly 1m stk gd in Jul (Flat).
Imperial Miss (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Led until approaching 6th, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out, 8th of 14, well behind Fair Along (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Jul.
