towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, caught close home
mid-division, headway on inner over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead close home
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened over 3f out, tailed off
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra towards finish
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders on outer, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
This race is best viewed as separating the wheat from the chaff; there are some in-form runners but also some bang out of form. Barton Bounty has shown nothing in maidens and is avoided on handicap debut whilst Verluga has struggled since winning in July at Carlisle. This course and distance saw the sole success of Emeralds Spirit three starts ago and she was just headed near the line last time to lose by a quarter of a length. Another strong run is expected but she is now 8lb higher in the ratings than her last winning mark. Dream On Buddy is interesting despite riding at the top of the weights with Ashley Morgan taking 5lb off her back to assist but the in-form MADAME EXCELERATE gets the vote. She is up in the weights for winning at Bath by a neck most recently, however she is taken to defy that rise and score.
Dream On Buddy (IRE) 10-1 (8-1) In rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Rare Tern (8-6) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Madame Excelerate 9-4fav (9-6) Soon close up, headway to lead 5f out, ridden and strongly pressed from over 1f out, stayed on gamely under pressure inside final furlong, won at Bath 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug beating Song To The Moon (9-7) by nk, 13 ran.
Cherry Bee 9-2 (9-7) Tracked winner, ridden and every chance over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Hail Bold Chief (9-6) at Hamilton 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Director General (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, chased winner until over 2f out, soon weakened, eased when no chance final furlong, tailed off, last of 5, 34l behind Vito Volterra (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Pycian 9-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 6l behind Henry Morgan (9-2) at Hamilton 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Verluga (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 9, 18l behind Red Scintilla (8-13) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
My One Weakness (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 19l behind Angaric (9-6) at Newcastle 6f app hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Petrocelli 33-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, driven and no impression final furlong, 5th of 7, 11l behind Sharakti (8-10) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Emeralds Spirit (IRE) 20-1 (7-13) Keen hold, held up tracking leaders, ridden 3f out, went 3rd 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind State Fair (9-1) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
No Quarter (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Hot Rod Mamma (8-4) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.
Hairy Maclary 7-2 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 5l behind Jozafeen (8-13) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Barton Bounty 100-1 (9-0) Dwelt and bumped after start, always well behind, 10th of 11, 25l behind Ardent (8-12) at Doncaster 6f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Battle Study (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, led just under 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon headed, weakened and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Akamon (9-0) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Russian Brigadier 50-1 (8-8) With leader, lost place over 3f out, last of 11, well behind Captain John Nixon (8-0) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Jun.
