chased leaders, struggling halfway, kept on final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, soon outpaced, some late headway, never nearer
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, lost place halfway
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace
soon outpaced, never dangerous
chased leaders over 3f
outpaced, never dangerous
went left start, in touch, weakened well over 1f out
prominent, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
A weak maiden, but quite competitive as there is not a great deal between these on official ratings; our vote just goes to El Potro, Cost Analysis and Clipper Hoy. El Potro was keeping on nicely when fourth in a similar race at Wolverhampton last time, and although there is a suspicion that this trip would be on the sharp side for him, he has shaped quite well on his only run on this surface and he could just be good enough to pick up what looks a weak affair. Cost Analysis didn't show a great deal on turf this season but shaped well enough for a long way on his all-weather debut to give the impression that he must come into the reckoning here. Ninja Storm is the pick on BHB ratings but seems to be regressing, and a better chance can be given to Clipper Hoy and the more consistent Montana. Rogue is a newcomer who was unsold at the sales but comes from a recent yard and would not have to be anything special to feature here, but El Potro looks the safest option and he gets the vote.
Briery Lane (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Zidane (9-0) at Redcar 6f mdn stk (5) gf in Oct.
Cost Analysis (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, chance 1f out, now extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Elizabethan Age (8-9) at W'hampton 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
El Potro 10-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden halfway, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Coconut Moon (8-9) at W'hampton 5f mdn stk (5) pol.
Montana 11-1 (8-11) Raced stand side, overall leader, ridden and headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Mugeba (8-7) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy.
Muktasb (USA) 9-2jt-fav (9-1) Held up and behind, switched right well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind New Options (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Tree Roofer 15-2 (8-12) With leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Mulberry Lad (9-0) at Southwell 6f mdn clm (7) fbs.
Mustang Lil 25-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, outpaced, ran on final furlong, never nearer, 8th of 13, 5l behind Coconut Moon (8-9) at W'hampton 5f mdn stk (5) pol.
Rogue Royal Applause filly out of an unraced mare.