mid-division and keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on
outpaced and never a factor
held up tracking leaders, ridden over 2f out one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, always in the rear
keen in touch, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, edged left 1f out, ran on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, ridden and headway on bend over 2f out, kept on
in touch, ridden 3f out, one pace
mid-division, weakened 2f out
in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in rear and outpaced, stumbled after 2f, never a danger
led, ridden 3f out, fading when headed inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden approaching 2f out, weakened final furlong
Get your pin out in the opener: our vote goes to Talcen Gwyn over Meikle Barfil and Cerulean Rose. Talcen Gwyn came back to form at Bath last time and, still arguably well treated on 2005 form, can go well again with his confidence at a high. The lightly-raced Tamino was just denied at Salisbury last time by Meikle Barfil and it should be close as he is five pounds better off for a length and a half, although the former is unproven on this type of going. Stamford Blue remains in good heart, but a four-pound rise for his Chepstow win makes things a little trickier. Cerulean Rose is also arguably well treated on the best of his 2005 form and is another to consider. In fact, there are plenty you could consider in a competitive race, including the in-form Milton Bradley's two runners but, overall, we will side with Talcen Gwyn.
Small Stakes (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-3) Ridden approaching 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Woodsley House (9-6) at Goodwood 6f mdn aut stk (4) gd in Aug.
Stamford Blue 11-2 (8-8) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Carcinetto (8-5) by a hd, 14 ran.
Namir (IRE) 9-2fav (9-8) Mid-division, ridden halfway, kept on one pace final furlong, 11th of 17, 6l behind Sir Loin (8-2) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Cosmic Destiny (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Started slowly, took keen hold in rear, headway wide over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Lingfield 5f fll hcp (6) pol in Jul beating Blakeshall Quest (9-3) by 3l, 10 ran.
Talcen Gwyn (IRE) 4-1fav (8-9) Made all, ridden 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on, won at Bath 6f hcp 0-70 (5) frm beating Peruvian Style (8-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Tamino (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Meikle Barfil (8-11) at Salisbury 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Meikle Barfil 11-2 (9-2) Towards rear, headway halfway, one pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 3l behind Stamford Blue (8-8) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Cerulean Rose 5-1jt-fav (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out to chase leaders, faded final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Stamford Blue (8-8) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
