tracked leader, led over 6f out to over 5f out, stayed prominent, weakening when slightly hampered inside final 2f, soon behind
towards rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on well final furlong nearest finish
led to over 6f out, stayed prominent, ridden to lead again over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong
behind, not clear run 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, not reached leading pair
close up, every chance over 1f out, not quicken and faded final furlong
in touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon hung right, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway and effort on outer over 1f out, not quicken, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon not clear run far rail and checked, no headway when clear over 1f out
always behind mid-division, not chance when weakened over 1f out
steadied start, settled in rear, still in rear 3f out, good headway on outside 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, ridden out
in touch, not clear run 2f out, checked and in rear over 1f out, not recover, soon eased
took keen hold behind, rapid headway to lead over 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakening when hampered and checked inside final 2f, soon behind
A relatively open handicap to conclude the day, with Maybe I Will, Palmerin and Air Chief among the leading lights and AIR CHIEF gets the vote. Harry Dunlop's gelding is no good thing here, needing a career best to win again. However, this is his optimum trip, he relishes cut in the ground and he comes here in good form, so he is the suggestion. Maybe I Will was a Brighton winner last time out and being by Hawk Wing he should handle conditions. However, he was last of seven on his only previous try on good to soft, so the jury is out for today. Palmerin is a course and distance winner who, like the selection, needs a career best to win, though he will probably get stuck in the mud. Houri and Roodolph would both like it quicker, but there is hope for supporters of Benfleet Boy, who has shown he handles some juice. Even so, we'll take Air Chief to call the shots in the finale.
Benfleet Boy 10-1 (8-7) Prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed just inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Count Ceprano (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 1f app hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Cape of Luck (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Pulled hard, in touch, ridden and effort 3f out, outpaced final 2f, last of 6, 7l behind Willow Dancer (9-11) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Roodolph 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Dragon Slayer (11-5) at Sandown 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gd in Aug.
Wiggy Smith 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, challenged over 3f out, soon ridden, not quicken inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Inchloch (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun '06.
Jo'burg (USA) 20-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 13, 6l behind Cave Lion (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
Palmerin 5-1 (9-6) Held up, headway to lead over 1f out, soon edged right and headed 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Kingdom of Fife (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Risque Heights 16-1 (9-2) Always behind, 9th of 13, 13l behind Legislation (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Aug.
Houri (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) In touch on inside, pushed along 3f out, 4th, staying on at one pace when not much room inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Liberally (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Maybe I Will (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up, headway going well to lead over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, ran on well, ridden out, won at Brighton 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gd beating Shesha Bear (9-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Gallego 14-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, outpaced over 2f out, no chance after, 6th of 8, 10l behind Rowan Rio (9-4) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Aug.
Air Chief 4-1 (8-6) Took keen hold, led to 8f out, stayed prominent, kept on under pressure to take 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Mr Hichens (9-3) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcap (4) sft.
Danamight (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, not clear run 2f out to entering final furlong, switched left, closed on leaders near finish, 4th of 11, 1/2l behind Kingdom of Fife (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
