led, clear over 8f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on under pressure until no extra final 100 yards
held up in touch, ridden and lost place over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression
tracked leader until over 8f out, ridden and edged left over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 8f out, led over 2f out, kept on gamely, held on well
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd post
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up well in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on, held towards finish
CAST OF STARS is hardly an apt description of the eight runners that go to post but Ralph Beckett's gelding gets the nominal vote ahead of Shy and Chincoteague. The selection has a long absence to overcome as he makes his handicap bow but he doesn't look too badly treated on the pick of his juvenile efforts and it would be no surprise to see him attract support in a race that fell to this yard two years ago. Shy's mark has fallen dramatically over the past twelve months but she was very impressive at Chepstow on just her fourth start for this yard and still looks well handicapped on 65 given that she was rated 75 at her peak and this consistent mare is unlikely to be far away. Higgy's Ragazzo isn't badly treated but can look a tricky ride whilst Zaif, who did run well last time, is an infrequent winner these days but the handicapper has given Mons Calpe a chance and he should be on the premises. Chincoteague produced a career best at Leicester and should make another bold bid to shed her maiden tag despite the handicapper's attention but a chance is taken with Cast Of Stars.
Cote d'Argent 22-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, led ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 19l behind Yemeni Princess (8-13) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
Mons Calpe (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd 3f out, went poor 2nd 1f out until inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Geneva Geyser (9-12) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Chincoteague (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6f out, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, joined over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied near finish, 2nd of 10, ns behind Magnitude (8-9) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Shy 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, soon ridden, ran on well inside final furlong, won at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun beating Party Palace (8-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Higgy's Ragazzo (FR) 9-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened approching final furlong, 4th of 7, 7l behind Christopher Wren (9-3) at Newbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Cast Of Stars (IRE) 13-8 (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Red Courtier (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Dec.
Zaif (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Lastroseofsummer (8-3) at Newmarket 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Firehawk 15-8 (8-2) Soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 3, 21l behind Mister Angry (9-7) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
