chased leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong
prominent and pulled hard early, ridden and weakened 2f out
slowly into stride and always towards rear, no impression
slowly into stride and always behind, no impression
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and hung right from 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden 3f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
led to 3f out, soon ridden, kept on, not quicken final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace
Whips to be carried and not used in this apprentice handicap so bets should be kept to a minimum; our fifty pence will go on STRAIGHT SETS ahead of Naval Review and Star Strider. Mick Channon's filly made a pleasing debut at Thirsk before taking an average maiden at Newbury. Whilst that bare form is nothing special, she is nicely-bred and should go on to better things so an opening handicap mark of 68 for this half-sister to the Group Three-winning Championship Point looks a nice starting point for connections. Barathea Dreams knows how to win but his best efforts have come on testing ground so any rain would be in his favour. Takitwo is a course winner but has a bit on his plate from out of the weights, whilst Effigy and Star Strider are both consistent but tend to find at least one too good. Romany Nights is consistent and the run behind Earlsmedic looks good, however this longer trip is not ideal. Naval Review is unexposed but doesn't look the most straightforward and so we will return to Straight Sets to win game set and match.
Straight Sets (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) With leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, ridden out, won at Newbury 7f mdn fll (5) gs in Aug beating Party Frock (8-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Interactive (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 4l behind Vintage (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Barathea Dreams (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not reach leaders, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind South Wales (9-1) at Salisbury 1m ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Romany Nights (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Tracked winner, hard driven over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Earlsmedic (8-8) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Cover Drive (USA) 50-1 (9-10) In touch, came stand side straight, ridden 3f out, no progress and weakened 2f out, 7th of 10, 10l behind Isphahan (9-10) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Effigy 4-1 (9-4) Towards rear, came stand's side straight, headway over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Isphahan (9-10) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Fantasy Parkes 9-4 (8-7) With leader, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2, 4th of 11, 9l behind Shotley Mac (9-6) at Redcar 1m clm (6) gs in Aug.
Naval Review (USA) 7-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 8l behind Carniolan (9-10) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Themwerethedays 11-1 (9-1) In rear, ridden over 2f out, no progress, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 12l behind Animator (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo app hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Star Strider 8-1 (7-11) Switched left soon after, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, edged right towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Finsbury (8-0) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Hobson 12-1 (9-2) Chased winner, never any chance, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Arabian Art (9-10) at Folkestone 6f 3yo app hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Takitwo 8-1 (8-7) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Castano (8-13) at Salisbury 7f app hcp (5) sft in Aug.
