chased leaders, outpaced halfway, soon beaten
hampered start, soon outpaced, ridden and headway well over 2 out, led just inside final furlong, ran on well
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
behind and outpaced, never dangerous
chased leaders over 3f
chased leaders over 4f
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon one pace
soon outpaced and raced wide, never nearer
always outpaced and behind
held up in touch, not much room 5f out, soon beaten
tracked leader, ridden and effort well over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on same pace final 2f
soon outpaced, always behind
Nonrunner
Ben Casey gets the call here ahead of Favouring and Fir Tree. Ben Casey's second in a similar event over course and distance two runs ago puts him firmly in the frame, while Favouring would have to be considered based on his first two runs from June, which came at Wolverhampton. The potential downsides are that he has yet to run here and he has not raced for 206 days, but he will race in a visor, which is kind of curious. Fir Tree's best form to date has come here and he's well worth a try at six furlongs, while Kashtanka seemed to benefit from first-time blinkers last time and today's extra furlong could well suit. Flying Dancer's summer Turf form would give him a big shout, and two runs recently here have not been devoid of hope, while Velvet Touch ran ok last time here and seems worth another try over today's trip. The others' chances are hard to enthuse over, which returns us to the selection, Ben Casey, who must surely have a very good chance.
Ben Casey 15-2 (8-7) Always behind, last of 10, 14l behind Soba Jones (8-6) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
Favouring (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 8l behind Count Cougar (10-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Fir Tree 3-1 (9-0) Keen, close up, chased winner over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 7l behind Sound And Vision (9-0) at Southwell 1m mdn claim (7) fbs.
Faithisflying 20-1 (9-0) With winner 4f, ridden and weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Straffan (9-0) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
Flying Dancer 40-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, headway halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Straffan (9-0) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
Velvet Touch 3-1fav (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace final 2f, 4th of 10, 5l behind King Marrakech (8-10) at Southwell 5f mdn claim (7) fbs in Dec.
Missin Margot 100-1 (8-3) Towards rear, never a factor, last of 13, 42l behind Dispol Foxtrot (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Kashtanka (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 5th of 12, 4l behind Amanda's Lad (8-13) at Southwell 5f banded stk (7) fbs.