mid-division, ridden halfway, never troubled leaders
slowly into stride, always towards rear
in touch, ridden and one pace final 2f
led, edged left and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
stumbled start, outpaced halfway, never troubled leaders
prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden and no extra final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
Guto is bound to be popular with backers having won his last two starts but they have both been over five furlongs and the extra furlong today may not suit the six-year-old so he looks best watched in a race taken to go to STEEL BLUE, who gets the vote over John Keats. The last mentioned ran better when a close third behind Avontuur at Newcastle last time and he has to be considered with Jim Goldie's stable in such good form but he would probably prefer faster ground so may be best watched. Another Try has run well off the same mark that he can race off today in each of his last two starts and he should be thereabouts again provided that he does not mind the drop to six furlongs. Guest Connections should not be inconvenienced by the underfoot conditions and the David Nicholls-trained gelding makes more appeal than John Spearing's Whiteoak Lady, who has more to do than when winning a seller over course and distance last time. A 5lb rise for his win at Redcar last time, makes this tougher for Averoo and preference is for Steel Blue. Richard Whitaker's gelding has been in good form in sellers in recent starts, including under soft ground, and he looks worth chancing back in a handicap off a fair mark on suitable ground conditions.
Leading Edge (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on, 5th of 6, 1 1/4l behind Princess Rose Anne (9-10) at Bath 5f flls hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Guest Connections 5-1fav (8-2) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway when edged left approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Elijah Pepper (8-1) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Danum Dancer 33-1 (9-3) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 19, 10l behind Capone (8-13) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jul.
Tartatartufata 8-1 (9-2) Disputed 2nd to 3f out, chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened quickly over 1f out, 5th of 6, 9l behind Luscivious (9-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Aug.
Hits Only Jude (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 16, 6l behind Sarah's Art (8-7) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Guto 13-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, driven to lead inside final furlong, soon edged right, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Aug beating Figaro Flyer (9-1) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Sea Salt 11-1 (8-3) Missed break, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 7l behind Avontuur (8-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Pacific Pride 12-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, driven halfway, lost place over 2f out, soon behind, 10th of 11, 13l behind Whiteoak Lady (9-0) at Thirsk 6f sell stks (5) gd in Aug.
Top Bid 9-1 (9-6) In touch, no extra approaching final furlong, 9th of 13, 6l behind Nomoreblondes (9-2) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Another Try (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to press leader over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Violent Velocity (8-13) at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Steel Blue 28-1 (9-0) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Whiteoak Lady (9-0) at Thirsk 6f sell stks (5) gd in Aug.
Whiteoak Lady (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Made virtually all, driven over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, eased near finish, comfortably, won at Thirsk 6f sell stks (5) gd in Aug beating Steel Blue (9-0) by 4l, 11 ran.
Imperial Sword 7-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 10, 13l behind Avontuur (8-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
John Keats 5-1 (8-11) Mid-division, outpaced halfway, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Avontuur (8-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Averoo 3-1fav (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Redcar 6f hcp 0-55 (6) gf in Aug beating Elkhorn (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
