tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden out
tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out
held up in touch, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
in touch, headway over 6f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten
always behind
held up, struggling after 5f, soon beaten, eased over 3f out
chased leaders early, soon lost place and behind
The consistent and proven York Cliff is taken to get the better of the promising Scott's Mill and Sand Repeal in an intriguing finale. York Cliff was an impressive winner here two outings ago, leading on the bit and scoring nicely. He has been beaten since, but that was over a shorter trip. He is yet to win over this distance, but his style of racing suggests he should have no problem seeing it out. Scott's Mill was well beaten behind York Cliff on his seasonal re-appearance and even though he re-opposes on ten pound better terms, he is clearly one of the lesser lights from Kingsley House, despite his impressive breeding, which reads like that of a Derby winner. Top weight Sand Repeal has only two wins to his credit, but they both came earlier this year. His ability to see out this longer trip has to be taken on trust as he has been weakening over shorter distances recently and he is passed over with the handicapper seemingly having him in his grip. York Cliff can take this contest.
Sand Repeal (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 7l behind Young Mick (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Mar.
Kiama 2-1fav (8-9) Chased leaders until weakened over 3f out, last of 11, 15l behind Queen of Iceni (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 6f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Show No Fear 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 6l behind Sound of Fleet (9-7) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (D) gf in May '04.
Madiba 5-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Isa'af (9-2) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
York Cliff 9-4fav (9-8) Held up, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 6l behind Nicozetto (8-10) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs.
Royal Axminster 13-2 (9-3) In touch, chased leader over 8f out, led over 5f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs in Mar beating Eforetta (8-11) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Keltic Rainbow (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Led, pressed from 8f out, headed over 2f out, ridden, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind Jackie Kiely (9-11) at Southwell 1m 6f banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
Scott's Mill 9-2 (8-8) In touch, lost place 9f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace from over 2f out, 3rd of 5, 15l behind York Cliff (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f banded stk (7) fbs in Mar.