with leader, ridden over 1f out, soon every chance, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, tracked leaders on inner over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up in rear, soon chasing leaders, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders and keen, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
A moderate handicap with plenty of exposed runners and many who have stamina doubts, but one who does not is PERSIAN MEMORIES, who may face stiffest opposition from Silent Act. The John Dunlop-trained selection has been dropped 3lbs since failing to get home over two miles last time, but this return to a stiff 1m 4f looks ideal. He has twice gone close from higher marks over the distance this summer, and acts on fast ground, so we will side with him. Silent Act is one of the less exposed runners in the line-up, and Amanda Perrett's filly showed up well when tried over this far on the Polytrack recently. She also acts on fast ground and despite a 2lb higher mark today she looks sure to go well. Regal Lyric has to be considered frame material after proving himself over the trip at Ripon and going well over slightly shorter at Hamilton last time. From the same mark he should be very competitive and he goes on the ground. Drum Dragon and Oriental Cavalier may struggle to get home, but Acquavella has every chance of doing so and is another of those less exposed after just one handicap run, so watch the market for clues. Princability and Punch Drunk are other doubtful stayers and Persian Memories can provide some Pontefract memories on the trip back to Arundel.
Oriental Cavalier 15-8 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon badly hampered and short of room and looked held, snatched up, not a danger after, 4th of 7, 3l behind Buddhist Monk (9-10) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (4) gf in Sep.
Drum Dragon 7-2 (8-12) In touch, chased winner over 2f out until inside final furlong, ridden and no extra towards finish, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Ogre (9-9) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f app hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Sep.
Punch Drunk 13-2 (9-1) Behind, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 9, 5l behind Veroon (9-3) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Acquavella 11-1 (9-2) Led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Valid Point (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Regal Lyric (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) In rear, headway to track leaders 4f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, soon no impression, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Valid Point (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Persian Memories (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, some headway on inside over 2f out, 7th of 14, 12l behind Perception (9-4) at Kempton 2m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sep.
Silent Act (USA) 5-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Rowan Tiger (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Bow To No One (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 8, 7l behind Valid Point (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Bubses Boy 16-1 (9-3) Switched right start, held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on one pace inside final 1f, 6th of 14, 7l behind Rowan Tiger (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Princability (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 8, 8l behind Brett Vale (9-6) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
