chased leaders on rail, ridden and no impression when hit rail over 1f out, weakened after
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, driven and unable to quicken final furlong
behind, ridden halfway, hanging and no impression from over 1f out
behind, angled out 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
quickly away, led on rail, ridden over 1f out, narrowly headed just inside final furlong, strong rally near finish, just failed
chased leaders, driven 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
slowly into stride, in rear, ran on inside final furlong
soon close up on outer, chased leader over 2f out, took narrow lead when jumped path just inside final furlong, driven out final furlong, all out
The short list here contains Day By Day, Cuppacocoa and Rasaman, with the selection being Cuppacocoa. Rasaman's very good Goodwood fourth two runs ago from today's mark marks him down as a contender here, while a return to his Newbury form of last September would bring the lightly-raced Oi Vay Joe into the reckoning. Day By Day comes here seeking a third-successive win and, despite having been raised six pounds for the latest of them, that should not stop her from making her mark on the race. Cuppacocoa, though, is four pounds better off for the three quarters of a length that separated them over course and distance on September 1st, and she got no run at Bath three days ago. Sparkling Eyes, who was third in that race, is two pounds better off with Cuppacocoa for three quarters of a length today. Back In The Red's winning run came to an end on the all-weather last time but has to find improvement now from 11 pounds above a winning Turf mark. Finally, Zahour Al Yasmeen is unpenalised for an apprentice handicap win and, now that she has got her head in front, could build on that. The selection, though, is Cuppacocoa.
He's A Humbug (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Chased leaders to halfway centre, 18th of 20, 13l behind Northern Fling (8-13) at York 5f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Rasaman (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) Chased leaders centre, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 14th of 20, 7l behind Northern Fling (8-13) at York 5f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Bazroy (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, not clear run and switched right 1f out, stayed on well, 4th of 13, 2l behind Barons Spy (8-5) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Day By Day 7-1 (8-7) Led for 1f, chased leader, led halfway, stumbled just inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf beating Cuppacocoa (8-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Back In The Red (IRE) 7-4fav (10-0) Raced wide in touch, ridden to chase leader entering final furlong, no extra near finish, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Lord of The Reins (8-13) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Cuppacocoa 11-2 (9-6) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden when hampered over 1f out, no chance after, 6th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Digital (8-8) at Bath 6f hcap (5) frm.
Sparkling Eyes 10-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Day By Day (8-7) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Zahour Al Yasmeen 7-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, led halfway, kept on well, won at York 5f 3yo app hcp (5) gf beating Valley of The Moon (9-5) by 2l, 14 ran.
