in touch, driven to challenge approaching final furlong, led inside, kept on gamely
held up, headway on outer over 1f out, driven, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, headway on inner when not much room, hampered over 1f out, no extra final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied, kept on
tracked leader, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden along over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on towards finish
prominent, pushed along halfway, driven, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
La Matanza gets the vote here ahead of Nadawat. David Barron's filly comes here on the back of a good second at Musselburgh and she may be suited by today's drop in trip, but uphill finish. She won on quick ground as a two-year-old and despite a 2lb rise in the weights for that recent second, she can prove that this mark of 77 isn't beyond her. Nadawat also comes here with a recent second to his name and he also drops in trip. He looks a real stayer and may just find himself tapped for toe late on. Keyaki is not to be dismissed despite some average recent efforts, however a more obvious threat may be Perfect Treasure who loves quick ground. Mick Channon has his team in good form so his duo both need a check in the betting, along with Lady Lily. She was not given a hard time when defeat was obvious at Doncaster and she must be respected, although the feeling is that she may struggle to last home up Pontefract's climbing finish. A tough race, and the betting may provide further clues, however La Matanza gets our nomination.
Lady Lily (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Chased leaders far side group, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 20, 8l behind Ellens Academy (8-6) at Doncaster 6f hcap (3) gf.
Nadawat (USA) 2-1fav (9-3) Chased winner, challenged winner over 1f out, ridden, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Captain Jacksparra (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Keyaki (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 1f out, 9th of 13, 6l behind Barons Spy (8-5) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Mango Music 33-1 (8-13) Chased leaders stands side group, faded final furlong, 14th of 20, 10l behind Ellens Academy (8-6) at Doncaster 6f hcap (3) gf.
La Matanza 7-2fav (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Frank Crow (9-1) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug.
Perfect Treasure (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden on outside over 2f out, no impression on leaders after, 8th of 14, 3l behind Cactus Rose (9-4) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Hazelhurst (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2l behind Ryedane (8-12) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Pretty Majestic (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division stands side group, one pace final furlong, 10th of 20, 7l behind Ellens Academy (8-6) at Doncaster 6f hcap (3) gf.
