not much room leaving stalls, held up, pushed along over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, never able to get on terms
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in touch in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish
prominent, took keen hold, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace
awkward start, in touch, ridden and struggling over 2f out
close up, ridden and hung left over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden to lead when faltered over 1f out, headed towards finish
An intriguing contest with Avonmore Star and Where's Romeo dropped in grade but being far from certain to reproduce their best form under softer conditions. Where's Romeo has been off since the Woodcote which worked out particularly well and he's related to a soft ground winner so he makes the most appeal of the pair as he could be dangerously well handicapped; given that his owner is not shy of backing his charges, the market may well guide us in his direction. However, the tentative suggestion at this stage is proven soft ground performer SQUIRES GATE whose mark was left unchanged following a maiden success at Haydock where the first two pulled a long way clear of the third and he's taken to follow up whilst conditions remain in his favour.
Avonmore Star 6-4 (9-1) Led, pushed along over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, immediately beaten and eased over 1f out, last of 2, 12l behind Galtymore Lad (9-8) at Salisbury 6f 2yo stks (2) sft in Sep.
Where's Romeo (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Dipped leaving stalls, soon pressing winner until ridden 2f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 8l behind High Award (9-0) at Epsom Downs 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Phoebs 20-1 (9-7) In touch, headway towards stand's side over 1f out, carried right and stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never quite going pace to challenge, 5th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Style And Panache (8-11) at Newbury 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Style And Panache (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Chased leader, led going well 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, strongly pressed well inside final furlong, held on gamely close home, won at Newbury 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep beating Millyluvstobouggie (8-7) by nk, 13 ran.
Scarlet Rocks (IRE) (8-7) 9th of 11, 12l behind Chinese Wall (8-7) at Deauville(FR) 5f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Aug.
Squires Gate (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Took keen hold, made all, shaken up over 1f out, kept on well, always in command, won at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Sep beating New Latin (9-0) by 1l, 5 ran.
Fifth Ave 20-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 1l behind Style And Panache (8-11) at Newbury 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
