raced wide, always in rear, weakened over 2f out, soon eased
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, switched right entering final furlong, stayed on same pace
close up, ridden 4f out, kept on one pace final 2f
held up, headway to track leaders over 4f out, short of room on stands side rail over 3f out, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, effort when bumped 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish
held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final final furlong, never able to challenge
led, ridden 3f out, headed approaching final furlong, weakened towards finish
There was plenty to like about the way that VITA NOVA went about her work at Kempton in June and the subsequent efforts of one or two of those behind offer hope that she'll be able to cope with an initial mark of 80 which, on the face of it, appears to have left little to chance. This is competitive though with Joseph Lister and Hayzoom bringing strong handicap form to the table from Haydock although underfoot conditions seem likely to be much quicker which could be a cause for concern with the former unlikely to take part if the showers miss the track. Valid Reason has no problems with quick ground and looks well handicapped on the pick of his form, Issabella Gem is better than she showed last time, Skyrider looks worth chancing at this trip whilst Tiger Star is from a good family and looks capable of winning races at around this trip.
Mawaddah (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Tracked leading trio, travelling well 3f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun beating Buffett (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Joseph Lister 8-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon edged left, kept on under pressure, held on towards finish, won at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs beating Hayzoom (9-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Hayzoom 9-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Joseph Lister (9-5) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Vita Nova (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Close up, tracked leading pair halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Jun beating Royal Riviera (9-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Valid Reason 11-4fav (9-6) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, never able to challenge, 6th of 10, 7l behind Yashrid (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Issabella Gem (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Raced in mid-division, towards rear 4f out, never on terms after, 12th of 16, 19l behind Verdant (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
Tiger Star 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Yashrid (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Skyrider (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, outpaced and pushed along 3f out, stayed on to 3rd just inside final 2f, no impression inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Mushreq (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
