prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway from 2f out, ran on well from over 1f out, driven out to lead final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
very slowly into stride, ridden 3f out, weakened
pulled early mid-division, weakened 2f out, behind
chased leader, ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra
slowly into stride, always towards rear, no impression
chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
Those who have raced don't arouse too much enthusiasm, and none of the newcomers really catch the eye either, so a bit of guesswork and luck involved here and we will side with War Anthem to improve for the fitting of blinkers. Shavoulin and Castara Bay make it to the shortlist. Charlie Egerton's colt hasn't looked the most straightforward on his two starts to date (hung on both occasions) and he has also shown a tendency to dwell in the starting stalls. However the headgear is now tried in the hope of correcting those errors and with improvement still forthcoming, he can score. Shavoulin is an interesting contender, having been seen most recently in Nad Al Sheba. He hasn't been setting the world alight over there but this is a weak race and this front-runner should be competitive. Jamie Spencer takes the eye on Vintage, whilst Namibian Pink returns from a lengthy break and should be monitored for confidence in the betting. The Tyke is another potential improver returning from some time off, whilst Richard Hannon's Castara Bay is yet to win in nine starts and drops back into maiden company. Hawridge Miss wouldn't need to be a world-beater to make a winning debut, however War Anthem is fancied to make it third time lucky.
Castara Bay 8-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 28l behind Cnoc Moy (9-4) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Elusive Dreams (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, driven 2f out, no extra, 11th of 14, 9l behind Amarna (9-3) at Kempton 1m mdn stk (5) pol.
Highest Esteem Mark of Esteem colt, half-brother to winning miler Humble Opinion and 1m4f-2m winner Junior.
Iguacu Desert Prince colt, half-brother to several winners from 5f-1m3f including high-class 6f-7f winner Byron.
Shavoulin (USA) (9-0) Led to halfway, one pace when headed, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Mofarij (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 3yo mdn gd in Mar.
Tiger Trail (GER) Tagula gelding, brother to winning sprinter Tapa, half-brother to winning miler Chadlington.
Vintage (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Led until headed well over 2f out, ridden and hung left 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Even Bolder (9-0) at Kempton 6f mdn stk (4) pol.
War Anthem 7-4fav (9-3) Dwelt, towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind One Giant Leap (8-9) at Carlisle 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Jul.
Hawridge Miss Piccolo filly out of 1m-1m3f winner In The Stocks.
Katie Coniston 33-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 7l behind Shaded Edge (9-3) at Lingfield 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Jul.
Namibian Pink (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, stayed to take 3rd last stride, no chance with first two, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Algarade (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Dec.
Trigger's Friend Double Trigger filly, related to several winners from 5f-1m2f.
With Confidence 50-1 (9-0) Reared start, ran very green and always in rear, 8th of 11, 12l behind Alo Pura (9-0) at Ascot 1m 3yo mdn fll (4) gs in Jul.
The Tyke 2-1 (9-3) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 11l behind Creme Brulee (8-12) at W'hampton 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
