mid-division, effort on inner 3f out, one pace
very slowly away, ridden 4f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leader until ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, weakened 3f out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
in touch, ridden over 5f out, weakened well over 2f out
Veloso would be tough to beat if retaining any of his old ability but having not been seen for two years is probably best watched and a safer option looks to be Sienna Storm, with Birkside rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has run consistently well in similar grade of late, latterly when a close fourth in a Haydock seller and a reproduction of that form should suffice for the Mark Tompkins-trained gelding today. Zabeel Tower ran creditably in a Musselburgh handicap last time and has claims dropping in class but has a bit to find on official figures. Similar comments apply to Skye But N Ben, while Anything Once has given little cause for optimism of late. Garibaldi is probably better than his last two runs suggest and of more interest may be Birkside. Declan Carroll's gelding has won his last two starts, both in similar grade to today and he has to be respected but preference is for Sienna Storm who is taken to gain a deserved success.
Birkside 13-8fav (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, won at Leicester 1m 2f clm (6) gd in Sept beating Diamond Key (8-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Garibaldi (GER) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 15, 29l behind Red Current (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (6) gf in Sept.
Kudbeme 33-1 (8-9) Always behind, tailed off over 2f out, last of 14, well behind Boundless Prospect (9-1) at Redcar 1m clm (4) gs in Sept.
Skye But N Ben 16-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, headway over 2f out, not clear run briefly, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Pivotalia (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Anything Once (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Cherri Fosfate (9-1) at Redcar 1m 2f sll (6) gs in Sept.
Ming Vase 14-1 (8-10) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind Young Bertie (9-5) at Pontefract 1m hcap (6) frm in Sept.
Playtotheaudience 11-2 (9-1) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra, 8th of 13, 8l behind Cherri Fosfate (9-1) at Redcar 1m 2f sll (6) gs in Sept.
Roman History (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders until lost place over 4f out, last of 9, 31l behind Kings Point (10-0) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (6) gs in Sept.
Sienna Storm (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 11, 2l behind Hall of Fame (8-11) at Haydock 1m 3f 3yo & 4yo sll (4) sft in Sept.
Musical Land (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Pushed along 6f out, always behind, 11th of 12, 20l behind Bond Casino (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Lady In The Bath Forzando filly, half-sister to winning sprinter Coracle King.
Zabeel Tower 10-1 (8-7) Led early, chased leaders, led 2f out, soon ridden, under pressure entering final furlong, headed towards finish, no extra, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Kirkby's Treasure (9-2) at Musselburgh 7f hcap (6) gs in Sept.
Credential 7-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 6l behind Treetops Hotel (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Veloso (FR) (9-2) won at La Roche 1m 3f mdn stk gd in Aug '05 beating Noble Zazie (8-11) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sangreal 50-1 (9-13) Towards rear, never dangerous, 14th of 15, 13l behind Bolton Hall (10-11) at Beverley 1m amt hcp (6) gd in Aug.
