chased leading pair, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final 1f, unable to quicken inside final furlong
chased leaders on outer, every chance 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, no progress
held up on inner, good headway and switched left entering final 1f, quickened up well to lead towards finish
slowly away, behind, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well to take 4th on line
pulled hard, disputed lead until hard ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final 1f
raced keenly, disputing lead, definite advantage 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, headed and outpaced by winner towards finish
chased leaders over 4f
TRIPLE DREAM is in good form and he can defy a penalty to land this handicap; the list of dangers is headed by Royal Intruder and Victoria Sponge. Milton Bradley's 4-year-old is chasing the hat-trick here and there was plenty to like about the way he beat Bedloe Island earlier in the month. On the evidence of that, a 6lbs penalty should not be enough to stop him and he is a confident choice. Royal Intruder won a handicap in decent style at Sandown when last seen out, but the grim reality is that he doesn't win very often and on that basis the percentage call would be to take him on in his follow-up bid. Victoria Sponge ran well from a poor draw at Kempton last week to finish a close third behind Getcarter. That run suggested that his turn would not be far away but he is arguably better over slightly further than this. Steelcut won well last time and can't be dismissed lightly, while Vhujon is a course and distance scorer with each-way prospects. An open handicap and the vote goes to Triple Dream.
Victoria Sponge (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, switched right to rails just inside 2f, ran on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, no pace of front duo, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Getcarter (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Phantom Whisper 16-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 12, 9l behind Broad Cairn (9-8) at Warwick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Vhujon (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Took keen hold, held up in rear, switched right to outer and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 5th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Balata (9-0) at Folkestone 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Royal Intruder 6-4fav (9-3) Held up, mid-division, headway over 1f out, not much room until well inside final furlong, driven and took 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Make My Dream (8-6) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Princess Valerina 66-1 (8-12) Towards rear far side group, never dangerous, 16th of 24, 4 1/2l behind Baldemar (9-5) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gd.
Maverin (IRE) 13-8fav (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Windsor 6f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Jun beating Russian Spirit (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Triple Dream 9-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden and soon clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Bedloe's Island (9-3) by 4l, 14 ran.
Steelcut 4-1fav (8-10) Held up towards rear and off the pace, headway on outside 2f out, led just inside final furlong, driven clear, won at Kempton 6f clm stks 0-70 (5) pol beating Fromsong (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Francis Walsingham (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened and edged left final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind Rocket Rob (9-5) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
