tracked leaders, effort well over 1f out, no extra 1f out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden over 2f out, no progress, weakened approaching final furlong
soon ridden along in rear, outpaced after 2f, headway from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders
behind, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
soon pressed leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well, ridden out
in touch on outside to halfway, lost place inside final 2f, one pace
Back Barbary Boy to get the day off to a good start, take Tadalavil to take second and Our Piccadilly third. The ability to handle testing conditions and last home on this stiff track will be essential and the selection ticks both of those boxes. He has been patiently handled this term but clearly has more to offer judged by his latest third on good ground over five furlongs here last week. He handles soft ground, will relish this step back up in trip and makes plenty of appeal. It's interesting that he's partnered by an apprentice rather than Hayley Turner who was on board for two of his three runs last term. She teams up with all-weather specialist Valhillen who is an honest sort but thoroughly exposed. Tadalavil pulled clear of the third when making Whiteoak Lady pull out all the stops at Haydock; the handicapper's given him every chance and he looks poised to take advantage of it soon. Beat The Bell and Extreme North have plenty to prove on soft ground and this test may prove to be too stiff for Kalligal. Our Piccadilly has yet to hit form this term but twice ran well with cut last season and has those conditions for the first time in 2008 this afternoon; she's 8lbs lower than for her first run and is well worth a second look but Barbary Boy boasts stronger credentials.
Barbary Boy (FR) 9-2 (9-4) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Ridge Wood Dani (8-13) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Our Piccadilly (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 9l behind Linda Green (8-9) at Windsor 6f hcap (4) gf in Jul.
Valhillen 13-2 (9-8) Soon off the pace and pushed along, headway 2f out, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Our Acquaintance (8-12) at Windsor 5f 3yo app hcp (5) gs.
Beat The Bell 9-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened from halfway, 12th of 13, 11l behind Feeling Fresh (8-2) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Tadalavil 7-1 (9-6) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, hd behind Whiteoak Lady (9-0) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (5) sft.
Kalligal 8-1 (9-9) Reluctant and led to post, raced wide, never on terms, 8th of 9, 11l behind City For Conquest (8-10) at Lingfield 5f fll hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Extreme North (USA) 33-1 (8-4) Close up far rail to 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 7, 2l behind Ridge Wood Dani (8-13) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
