in touch, headway 3f out, led on bit over 1f out, soon ridden clear, ran on well
prominent, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, not quicken towards finish
led, ridden 4f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
prominent, ridden 5f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden over 5f out, stayed on final furlong, went 2nd close home
Velvet Heights has leading claims and can master Lightning Strike, with Ski Jump and Trance also likely to be in the shake-up. Velvet Heights caused a bit of a surprise when going in first time back this season at Kempton, as John Dunlop's inmates are normally never rushed. Since then the four-year-old has run well in defeat, finishing runner-up on each of his last two outings, most recently when trying to give weight to Establishment at Chester. With master tactician Philip Robinson on board for the first time today, the son of Barathea is taken to dominate his rivals, the best of whom should prove to be Lightning Strike. Terry Mills had high hopes for his charge at the start of the campaign, and his colt proved that he stayed a trip when landing Ascot's Brown Jack Stakes the time before last. It all went wrong at Salisbury a fortnight ago though as he whipped round at the start and ditched Steve Drowne in a race devoid of starting stalls. The race was allowed to carry on without him, leaving connections fuming, and they will be ultra-keen to make amends here. Ski Jump has gone off the boil lately, and Trance will come with his customary late charge, but it should be in vain as Velvet Heights stamps his authority.
Hawridge Prince 66-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, no chance final 2f, 5th of 8, 3l behind Crocodile Dundee (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Velvet Heights (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead briefly just over 1f out, edged right and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Establishment (9-6) at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Lightning Strike (GER) 10-3 (8-6) Unruly start and unseated rider in race won by Wunderwood (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 6f stk (2) gf in Aug, 5 ran.
Ski Jump (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 15th of 19, 9l behind London Express (8-12) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug.
Distant Prospect (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, no chance when hampered over 2f out, 14th of 20, 25l behind Key Time (9-1) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Aug.
Trance (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Held up, ridden and outpaced over 6f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Alambic (8-6) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Saint Alebe 20-1 (8-8) Slipped leaving stalls, in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, ran on well to lead final 50 yards, won at York 1m 6f hcp (B) gf in Aug '03 beating Sun Bird (8-10) by 1/2l, 22 ran.
Dr Sharp (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 15, 31l behind Sphinx (8-3) at York 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in May.
