A wide open contest rounds off the card and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Apache Nation, Rowan Lodge and Top Dirham and the narrow vote is given to Apache Nation. The selection was a fair second behind Ermine Grey last time out. That was a decent effort and it came on heavy ground so we know that these testing conditions will not be a problem. Top Dirham finished behind him that day and on these terms there is no reason why the placings should be reversed here. Rowan Lodge ran well when second behind Surawaki last time but that was in a claimer and this looks more competitive. Pelham Crescent was third behind The Grey One last time out but he is hard to win with, while What A Dancer has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price. But for the winner we will return to Apache Nation who has plenty of ticks in the right boxes.
Fangorn Forest (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Towards rear in touch, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, outpaced and weakened well over 1f out, last of 5, 18l behind Sister Maria (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Libre 33-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 16l behind Azreme (10-0) at Ripon 1m hcap (5) hvy.
Apache Nation (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-2) Chased leader until ridden over 2f out, hard ridden to challenge inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 10, hd behind Ermine Grey (8-5) at Haydock 1m hcap (6) hvy.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 9-4 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, chased winner in vain final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Surwaki (9-6) at Warwick 1m clm (5) sft.
Pelham Crescent (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Very slowly into stride, detached, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind The Grey One (9-3) at Warwick 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
What-A-Dancer (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Mid-division and keen, weakened 3f out, 9th of 13, 9l behind Zantero (8-8) at Chepstow 7f clm (6) sft in Jun.
Bold Cross (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, in rear when hampered 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Bucharest (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcap (6) pol.
Valart 50-1 (9-2) Held up, headway final furlong, never nearer, 8th of 15, 9l behind Blue Mistral (8-10) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Ya Late Maite 8-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, soon ridden, headway to lead over 6f out, ridden, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 12l behind Dansil In Distress (9-9) at Lingfield 1m fll mdn hcp 0-70 (6) pol.
Top Dirham 7-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Ermine Grey (8-5) at Haydock 1m hcap (6) hvy.
Danawi (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) In touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 15, 5l behind Blue Mistral (8-10) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Lizarazu (GER) 9-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon beaten, 13th of 15, 18l behind Blue Mistral (8-10) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Miss Porcia 40-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 18l behind Golden Spectrum (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Bahhmirage (IRE) 25-1 (7-9) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, struggling over 2f out, 11th of 12, 8l behind Moves Goodenough (8-11) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Ivana Illyich (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden over 4f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 11l behind Tommy Tobougg (9-3) at Musselburgh 7f mdn aut stk (6) gd.
Brouhaha 25-1 (8-11) Held up, switched to far side rail over 7f out, headway over 5f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 27l behind Jawaaneb (9-3) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Julatten (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Chased leaders over 3f, 7th of 14, 13l behind Stevie Gee (9-3) at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn (5) fbs.
