slowly into stride, held up in rear, soon headway and centre over 3f out, hung left but led inside final 2f, soon in command, stayed on strongly
held up, headway 5f out, driven to challenge over 2f out, driven and stayed on to take moderate 2nd 1f out but no chance with easy winner
close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakend, tailed off
chased leader, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
in rear, ridden and struggling 4f out, tailed off
chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 2f out, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, outpaced final 2f
led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd 1f out
always rear, ridden and struggling over 4f out, tailed off
Wannabe Posh can gain another course-and-distance success at the expense of My Petra, Counterpunch and Conservation to name but three. It is hard to get a handle on the well being of the Godolphin runners at present, as some are running flat when fancied, while the ones that are opposed invariably perform well. With that in mind it is hard to know what to make of Counterpunch, winner of his only start at Goodwood three weeks ago. Sent off as favourite, he did it nicely enough, but is now saddled with topweight on his handicap bow. He could make a fool of the handicapper, but equally, may bomb out badly, so instead we look to the consistent Wannabe Posh as the answer. John Dunlop's filly was successful over track-and trip in June, and since then has continued to run well despite creeping up the weights. Only caught close home at Goodwood 12 days ago, she looks all set to make a bold bid. My Petra has also visited the winner's enclosure here this season, and is another with solid form, while Conservation is lightly weighted and although having a bit to find, may be involved. Our idea of the winner though is Wannabe Posh.
Counterpunch 5-6fav (9-3) Soon chasing leader, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Sept beating Pentatonic (8-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Wannabe Posh (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, led 2f out, all out when headed line, 2nd of 14, hd behind Halla San (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.
My Petra 5-1 (8-4) Pulled hard, led 1f, tracked leaders after, ridden to lead again over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 7, hd behind Dream Champion (8-7) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Sept.
Astrobella 50-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, ridden approaching 3f out, stayed on over 1f out, 5th of 9, 2l behind Robustian (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Psychic Star 50-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, not clear run just inside final 2f, stayed on again inside final furlong, 9th of 17, 9l behind Bauer (9-0) at Newbury 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Villa Sonata 4-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, lost place over 5f out, virtually pulled up soon after, last of 9, well behind Robustian (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Conservation (FR) 7-1 (9-4) With winner, ridden into narrow advantage 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Buster Hyvonen (10-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Bon Viveur 11-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, no chance with winner final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Altilhar (8-13) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
