stumbled start, soon tracked leaders on inner, not clear run and switched left just inside 2f, stayed on until 2nd 1f out, no impression
held up in rear, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no reach leaders
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, led 2f out, drew clear final furlong
held up, headway when bumped inside final 2f, stayed on final furlong
led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
tracked leader to 3f out, soon driven, weakened over 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong
in touch on outside, effort and edged right under pressure 2f out, stayed on to chase leading pair final furlong, no impression
slowly into stride, raced keenly and soon tracked leaders, chased leader 3f out and new leader from 2f out to 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced on outside, chased leaders over 5f
held up, headway on rails 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, weakened and lost place over 2f out, soon behind
slowly into stride, raced keenly in rear, staying on when not clear run inside final furlong
Coppice gets the call here ahead of Tabadul, Freeloader, Pinpoint and Barathea Dreams. Coppice comes here seeking a third-straight win and, even though he is up four pounds for the latest of them, this course and distance winner looks primed to go well again. Tabadul suggested that he was improving last time when fourth to Hinterland at Haydock. The winner may have been beaten since but we expect him to go well today. Being just one pound above the mark from which he won over course and distance in May, Freeloader is respected, while Pinpoint's Newmarket fifth in a competitive affair suggested that he can go well also. The juice in the going will suit Barathea Dreams, who is also four pounds above a winning mark, while Underscore has something to prove following a handicap defeat. The consistent Goodwood Spirit keeps knocking at the door, Dakota Rain looks capable of more based on his Nottingham maiden win, Lord Links won off this mark a year ago, although more-recent efforts have been modest, and ditto Persian Rock who is five pounds below his winning mark of August 2004. It would be hard to be strong on the other pair, which returns us to the selection, which is Coppice.
Tabadul (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Soon in touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 3l behind Hinterland (8-13) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gs in Sept.
Freeloader (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (8-6) Raced wide in mid-division, ridden along over 2f out, no progress from well over 1f out, 9th of 13, 6l behind Clipperdown (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Sept.
Pinpoint (IRE) 7-1co-fav (8-6) In touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong, 5th of 18, 5l behind Focus Group (8-4) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Coppice (IRE) Evensfav (9-5) Held up, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, ran on, won at Leicester 1m hcp (5) gf in Sept beating Fabrian (8-5) by a nk, 14 ran.
Barathea Dreams (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakening when not much room on rail 2f out, 9th of 13, 5l behind Banknote (9-1) at Windsor 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Underscore (USA) 6-4fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway until weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 8l behind Ryan's Future (9-0) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Goodwood Spirit 11-2 (9-0) Held up mid division in centre group, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Malahem (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Dakota Rain (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Made all, ridden out, won at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Sept beating Pride of Nation (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Lord Links (IRE) 5-2fav (9-4) Raced wide 2f, close up, ridden entering straight, soon weakened and behind final 3f, 5th of 6, 12l behind Barathea Dreams (9-2) at Sandown 1m hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Persian Rock (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders until weakened well over 1f out, 19th of 20, 25l behind Dig Deep (8-8) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Defi (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden and headway to challenge 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Nanton (9-4) at Hamilton 1m 1f clm (4) gf in Sept.
Firesong 8-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 11th of 14, 12l behind Blue Torpedo (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
