held up towards rear, keen early, headway over 3f out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, headway under pressure well over 1f out, never able to challenge
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2f out
in touch, lost place well over 3f out, pulled up and dismounted 2f out
behind, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no chance with winner
tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace
held up in touch, led over 2f out, soon driven clear, eased close home
mid-division, never on terms
mid-division, lost place well over 2f out
always behind
slowly into stride, always behind
held up, never dangerous
led until over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
soon driven and prominent, lost place 3f out
KING OLAV is selected to win this competitive handicap with Expresso Star and Jeer looking to head the dangers. The winner of a Kempton maiden on his second start, he was set a stiff task last time when put in against more experienced rivals and rain softened ground. He arrived there with what looked a winning challenge before his effort petered out in the closing stages. Given his unexposed profile he could prove to be better than his current mark. Expresso Star slammed a very moderate field at Hamilton. Previously to that he had shown a fair level of ability and the step up in trip will suit. Jeer has slipped down the weights and drops back to 10 furlongs. His form does appear to peak on livelier surfaces which is a concern. Tomintoul Flyer has been the subject of strong support on his recent outings. He is another taking a drop in trip which should suit given his free running style. Moheebb continues to hold his form very well despite his busy schedule while Thumbs Up beat a field of exposed handicappers on his penultimate start but given connections was rather falsely priced last time. The easier surface will be more to his liking here but King Olav is selected to win it for the Michael Jarvis stable.
Trans Siberian 9-1 (9-2) Slowly away, pulled hard, held up, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, 10l behind Amanjena (8-7) at Ascot 1m 2f stk 0-90 (3) gf in Sept.
Jeer (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) Close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Apache Fort (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f clm (4) gf in Sept.
Tomintoul Flyer 7-2 (9-1) With leader, led after 3f to 5f out, stayed pressing leader to over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 7l behind Greylami (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
King Olav (UAE) 6-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway 3f out, kept on and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 18, 4 1/2l behind Closertobelieving (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f stk 0-85 (3) sft in Sept.
St Jean Cap Ferrat 7-1 (9-6) Held up, steady headway over 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon ridden, every chance until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Closertobelieving (9-7) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 13-2 (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, won at Ayr 1m 2f hcap (5) hvy in Sept beating Grandad Bill (8-3) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ellmau 9-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 6l behind The Oil Magnate (8-12) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Sept.
Expresso Star (USA) 4-9fav (9-3) Made all, drew clear final 2f, unextended, won at Hamilton 1m 1f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) sft in Sept beating Lilly Grove (8-12) by 18l, 7 ran.
Thumbs Up 11-4fav (9-0) Close up, ridden over 2f out, no headway and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 9l behind Greylami (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Fortunate Isle (USA) 10-1 (9-4) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 15th of 18, 28l behind Middlemarch (9-1) at Redcar 1m clm (4) gs in Sept.
Russian Invader (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Held up, pushed along 4f out, headway on outside over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, driven and stayed on well, won at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Oct '07 beating Watchful (9-0) by a nk, 7 ran.
Along The Nile 20-1 (8-10) Led, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Gulf Express (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sept '07.
Moheebb (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Behind, stayed on well from over 1f out, 5th of 23, 4 1/2l behind Charlie Tipple (8-9) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd.
Vicious Warrior 10-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Just Bond (9-8) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sept.
Man of Gwent (UAE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Ghost Dancer (9-3) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
Persian Peril 9-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Wind Shuffle (9-3) at Ayr 1m 2f hcap (5) hvy in Sept.
