chased leaders, ridden and effort 1f out, always held
always behind and never in contention
mid-division, slight effort 3f out, soon weakened
soon in touch, chased leaders from 4f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly
held up, headway over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
held up rear, headway 3f out, ran on over 1f out, nearest at finish
prominent, led over 7f out, headed 3f out, soon ridden and one pace
held up, headway just over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, switched right and headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
led early, soon headed and settled mid-division, behind final 3f
tracked leaders, hampered, stumbled and lost position on inside, not recover
held up rear, effort on outside 2f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon one pace
with leader, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
keen in mid-division, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind, some headway over 3f out, soon weakened
Montara, Serramanna and Lady Taverner are the three for the shortlist in the finale and the vote is given to Montara. The selection has finished second in each of his last two starts and he has only been beaten narrowly on both occasions. He is clearly well-treated at present and with conditions to suit he gets the vote. Serramanna rates the main danger as he escapes a penalty for winning an apprentice handicap here last time out. He beat Stolen Song that day who re-opposes on 5lbs better terms for one-and-a-half lengths. Lady Taverner beat Serramana at Lingfield last time and they meet again today on identical terms. Prelude is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he continues to rise in the weights without winning, and he again looks vulnerable off this mark. We are therefore happy to return to Montara as the likely winner.
Prelude 10-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Charlie Kennet (9-2) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (5) sft.
Serramanna 9-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Warwick 1m 3f app hcp (6) gf beating Stolen Song (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Arabian Moon (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Held up well in rear, some headway over 4f out, soon no impression, 5th of 12, 12l behind Scottish River (11-7) at Windsor 1m 4f amt hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Ramsgill (USA) 9-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, led 2f out, driven clear final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (5) pol beating Desperation (9-3) by 3l, 13 ran.
Stolen Song 14-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Serramanna (8-9) at Warwick 1m 3f app hcp (6) gf.
Lady Taverner 22-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, steady headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) gs in Aug beating Serramanna (8-13) by 2l, 14 ran.
Montara (IRE) 7-2fav (8-9) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Newcorp Lad (8-10) at Beverley 1m hcp (6) gd.
Awaken 8-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, just held on, won at Redcar 1m 2f sll hcp (6) gd beating Beaumont Girl (8-4) by a shd, 17 ran.
