behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on, not trouble leaders
held up behind, ridden approaching final furlong, stayed on well
in touch, headway to chase leaders 2f out, one pace
chased leaders, led approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
led, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened
tracked leaders, not much room over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon edged right, kept on well
The History Man is interesting on old form but his recent runs have been dire and his jockey is yet to have a winner so we will side with THE BEAR ahead of Fire Up The Band, Windjammer and Babyshambles. A winner on soft ground in the past, the selection comes here on the back of a good third at Newcastle. He was well-backed on that occasion and given a mini-break since, this gutsy front-runner should run well. Windjammer is very quick on a going day and his wins have come on easy tracks such as this, however whilst he handles this ground the feeling is that it blunts some of his natural pace. Fire Up The Band has lots of experience but hasn't been keeping the best company of late, King Of Swords is out of form but has a good apprentice up, whilst Inspainagain loves heavy ground but might now be in the handicapper's grip; the market will help hint at what is expected. Babyshambles and Blazing Heights add more spice to the mix but in a tight handicap we will nominate The Bear to lead them home.
Inspainagain (USA) 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 8l behind First Order (9-1) at Newcastle 5f hcap (4) gf in Jul.
The Bear 11-2 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, kept on, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind First Order (9-1) at Newcastle 5f hcap (4) gf in Jul.
Blazing Heights 16-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Woodsley House (8-13) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Aug.
Baybshambles (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 11, 9l behind Wyatt Earp (9-6) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
King Of Swords (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, effort when weakening over 1f out, 11th of 14, 9l behind Commander Wish (9-0) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
The History Man (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Held up 4rth, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders and weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 9, 10l behind Judge 'n Jury (9-1) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Fire Up The Band 15-8fav (9-3) Stumbled at start, soon chasing leaders, effort over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Guest Connections (9-7) at Catterick 5f clm (6) gs in Aug.
Windjammer 9-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, effort when hampered over 1f out, not recover, 13th of 15, 9l behind Haajes (9-8) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Lake Chini (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders until over 1f out, 13th of 15, 10l behind Woodsley House (8-13) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Aug.