tracked leaders, ridden and chased winner 2f out, no impression
mid-division, hard ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, shaken on inside 2f out, never reached leaders
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, one pace on wide outside final 2f
made all, driven along from 2f out, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased winner to 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, raced towards rear on outside, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
Sugar Ray, Malyana and Venir Rouge are the three we like in the finale and the vote is given to Malyana. The selection beat Princess Cocoa by a neck at Ripon last time out, and Bollin Dolly who finished fifth in that contest has since been out and run really well, so the form looks quite solid. Sugar Ray won easily at Windsor last time but that was a weak maiden and it remains to be seen how well treated he is on this his handicap debut. Venir Rouge has been running well of late and he has to be respected here as he may have won last time had his rider not dropped the whip inside the final furlong. Highland Harvest ran well to chase home Persian Express at Windsor last time and that run showed that he is capable of winning races on the turf. However, Malyana is in good form and can land the prize.
Sugar Ray (IRE) 2-5fav (9-3) Disputed lead 8f out, led over 3f out, drew well clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf beating Hibiki (8-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Minos (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Proponent (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo stk (2) gs in Oct.
Malyana 9-2 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Ripon 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gd beating Princess Cocoa (9-6) by a nk, 8 ran.
Venir Rouge 11-4fav (9-7) Held up, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 3f out, soon hung left, stayed on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Rowan River (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Nur Tau (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Mid-division, lost place 7f out, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not a danger, 6th of 14, 4l behind Sanbuch (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Rock Anthem (IRE) 11-8fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 11, 8l behind Heathyards Pride (9-4) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Risque Heights 10-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, towards rear, headway 2f out, effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Pippa Greene (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Kilburn 25-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 10l behind Oceana Gold (9-0) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Highland Harvest 6-1 (8-12) Raced freely, led and strongly pressed from 2f out, headed and not quicken final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Persian Express (9-11) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Sir Liam (USA) 50-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden in rear over 3f out, never a factor, 8th of 11, 6l behind Good Effect (8-9) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Colonel Flay 14-1 (9-0) Towards rear, brief effort 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 12l behind Hypoteneuse (9-4) at Bath 1m 4f 3yo mdn hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Beau Sancy 20-1 (8-12) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 13, 8l behind Caravel (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
