held up behind leaders, pushed along over 3f out, effort when weakening over 1f out
led, driven over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, ran on
prominent, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed inside, edged right and no extra close home
towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression
dwelt and behind, headway on inner 2f out, stayed on final furlong
Northern Boy, Minister of State and Natural Force are the three for the shortlist here and Northern Boy can take this keenly contested affair. After a couple of very good efforts as a two year old, Northern Boy turned in an excellent display on his seasonal re-appearance at Haydock, leading for a long way before getting tired in the closing stages but keeping on well to be second. He then landed the odds and some significant bets when losing his maiden tag at Musselburgh. He is consistent and can lead them home here. Michael Jarvis sends Minister of State on the trek north, and he can play a prominent role. Unraced as a two year old, he shaped well on his debut but was a beaten odds on favourite at newmarket next time. He bounced back to form at Nottingham last time but that earlier defeat when well fancied suggests Northern Boy may be more progressive. Natural Force is saddled with top weight after good wins at Bath and Lingfield but was beaten here by Northern Boy last year and now faces him on inferior terms. With his yeard flying, Northern Boy is given a confident vote.
Natural Force (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Made virtually all, quickened clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov beating Salute The General (8-10) by 1l, 11 ran.
Minister of State 9-4 (9-0) Made all, ridden out, won at Nottingham 1m mdn stk (5) gf in Jun beating Jihaaz (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Northern Boy (USA) 4-7fav (9-0) Made all, driven out over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 1m mdn stk (5) gf in Jun beating Penzo (9-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Always Baileys (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Always behind, ridden 3f out, beaten 2f out, 12th of 13, 13l behind Shortest Day (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
North Walk (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway 3f out, chased leader 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Heaven Knows (9-4) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (4) hvy in May.
Neardown Beauty (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon switched left, behind, ridden 2f out, not much room and switched left 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Spinning Queen (8-11) at Warwick 7f 3yo lst fll (1) gf in Jun.
Damelza (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Led steady pace, quickened over 3f out, headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, last of 6, 5l behind Hula Ballew (9-6) at Thirsk 1m fll hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
