held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon under pressure, weakened over 1f out
led until over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra closing stages
held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Birdman appeared to have bounced back to form when landing a Lingfield handicap at big odds but he isn't the biggest of individuals and with a big weight to carry, we are happy to leave him alone. Billingsgate appears to be very much on the upgrade and having won readily at Doncaster, he could easily have been handed a more substantial rise from the handicapper. Karl Burke's string appear to be coming back into form and we believe ISHIKAWA can give another good account. The majority of his form has admittedly obtained on softer but he has gone well in the past at Sandown and if the going remains genuinely good, the six-year-old is perfectly able to cope with it. George Cinq is unpenalised for victory in an apprentices event at Ascot and has to be respected. Purple 'n Gold won recently over hurdles though he's certainly no mug on the Flat with four previous career victories to his name. Maverik could need this run after a sizeable absence and is one to note for next time.
Directorship 11-1 (9-5) Mid-division, weakening when short of room over 2f out, 6th of 9, 9l behind The Rectifier (10-0) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Birdman (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, never on terms, weakened final furlong, 12th of 13, 13l behind Velox (8-0) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf.
Tigers Tale (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Chased leader and clear of rest, every chance well over 1f out, losing place when not much room inside final furlong, eased, 13th of 16, 8l behind Abseil (9-3) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Maverik 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Alfred Hutchinson (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
George Cinq 13-2 (9-9) Last to break, held up in rear, headway going well 3f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on, won at Ascot 1m app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gf beating Unison (8-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Billingsgate (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Dwelt, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun beating Sahra Al Khadra (8-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Led early, chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 12l behind I'm Fraam Govan (9-8) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Ishikawa (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Raced wide close up, ridden to challenge leader 2f out, faded final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Sea Shanty (9-7) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.