close up, headway to chase leading pair over 1f out, ran on to lead final 100 yards
led, ridden 2f out, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
in touch, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong
always behind
chased leaders 5f
mid-division, kept on final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders 5f, soon eased when no chance
behind, never a factor
raced on outer in touch, weakened and eased over 1f out
chased leaders over 5f
behind, moderate headway final furlong
stumbled and reign broke leaving stalls, behind when pulled up inside final 3f
raced alone on stands rail, no chance final 2f
mid-division on inner, pushed along 3f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
chased leader 5f
held up in rear, headway on outside inside final 2f, never nearer
Our four against the field are High Bray, Grizedale, Grey Boy and Swinbrook, with the vote going to High Bray. If High Bray runs - and he is entered to go at Newbury on Saturday - he must be respected from a shrewd yard as he went into Newbury seemingly well-weighted based on his good Goodwood win. Grizedale is a fraction above a winning mark now and holds claims, while Swinbrook bounced back to form at Goodwood last time and, if building on that, can be in the mix. Moon Forest needs to recapture last October's form, on which he is well handicapped, while Born To Be Bold is lightly-raced and entitled to be improving, so could go well. We know that Digital is capable from today's mark on his day, while Regal Dream, Dr Synn, Lockstock and Vague Star (who is unproven at today's trip) need to achieve career bests in order to win. Dart Along has a chance as the handicapper is now taking pity, while Grey Boy's third to the progressive Coppice over course and distance last time gives him solid-enough claims. Blue Java is just two pound above a Goodwood winning mark, while Scarlet Invader is back to a winning May mark, and would hold claims if getting back to that. Monashee Prince is another to be edging back towards a winning mark, while Just Fly and Greenwood haven't won for two years. Overall, though, the vote stays with High Bray.
High Bray (GER) 8-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, hard ridden and just held on, won at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept beating Violet Park (8-11) by a nk, 17 ran.
Grizedale (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Switched right start, always in rear, 15th of 17, 21l behind Conjuror (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Swinbrook (USA) 20-1 (8-4) Raced stand side, held up, headway over 1f out, carried right final furlong, ran on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 20, nk behind Beaver Patrol (9-2) at Goodwood 6f hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Moon Forest (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 24l behind My Princess (8-8) at Salisbury 1m 3yo hcp (4) frm in Jul.
Born To Be Bold 13-2 (8-11) Close up on inside, not much room 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Fisberry (8-12) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Elkhorn 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 9l behind Tax Free (9-0) at Thirsk 7f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Digital 33-1 (8-6) Behind until ran on over 1f out, never dangerous, 11th of 17, 9l behind High Bray (8-7) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Lockstock (IRE) 10-3fav (9-4) Led 7f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Calculaite (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Regal Dream (IRE) 10-3fav (8-9) Slowly away, held up, always in rear, last of 8, 17l behind Rain Stops Play (8-11) at Epsom 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Dart Along (USA) 16-1 (8-10) Held up centre, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 15, 17l behind Malahem (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Grey Boy (GER) 14-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Coppice (9-1) at Salisbury 1m hcp (5) frm in Sept.
Blue Java 11-2 (8-7) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened near finish, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Logsdail (8-9) at Sandown 7f hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Scarlet Invader (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Led until over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 20, 11l behind Dig Deep (8-8) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Monashee Prince (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 17, 6l behind Conjuror (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Dr Synn 25-1 (8-4) Chased leaders until weakened inside final 2f, 13th of 22, 12l behind Safsoof (9-0) at Newbury 7f hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Vague Star (ITY) 9-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders centre group to over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 7l behind Kempsey (8-0) at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Just Fly 14-1 (8-13) Close up, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 15l behind Conjuror (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Greenwood 25-1 (8-11) Switched right after 1f, held up, headway on stand side 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 7l behind Conjuror (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
