chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven and kept on well until caught final strides
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders over 3f
led early, ridden and lost place 4f out, ran on again inside final furlong
prominent, led over 4f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken
restless in stalls, keen hold, led after 1f until over 4f out, stayed prominent, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, switched left entering final furlong, ran on to lead final strides
keen hold, chased leaders for 4f
chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 4f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
The short list for an interesting race consists of Andronikos, Violette and Presto Shinko, with the vote going to Andronikos. Yet again, we have another very good Pattern-level sprint to look forward to this season. Quito is the highest-rated of the runners and, much as it pains to talk about such a courageous, tough, classy and usually-dependable horse in such a way, maybe his best for the season is behind him now. This spins us to a few of the others, including Presto Shinko, who ran pretty well in a similar event at Newmarket last time but his Group penalty has made things a little tricky for him this season. Given that he loves to get his toe in, the Ayr Gold Cup fifth, Adronikos, who has shown that he can compete at this level, might just provide the answer today. Eisteddfod and the lightly-raced Great Britain have been knocking at the door in this company but a place is maybe the best that they can hope for at this level, and Greenslades and Rising Shadow are others that are bubbling under at this level and can't be ruled out. Finally, Violette is probably a genuine autumn filly and her credentials are sound enough in terms of running a good race. Do not rule her out but our selection is Andronikos.
Presto Shinko (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Bygone Days (9-1) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Andronikos 9-1 (9-2) Held up and keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 18, 8l behind Rising Shadow (8-7) at York 6f hcap (2) sft in Oct.
Danzili Bay 7-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind La Cucaracha (9-10) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul '05.
Eisteddfod 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 13th of 14, 14l behind Bygone Days (9-1) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Great Britain 25-1 (9-1) Led over 4f, held when hampered near finish, 4th of 14, 2l behind Bygone Days (9-1) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Greenslades 9-4fav (9-13) Slight lead, narrowly headed over 1f out, stayed challenging under pressure, unable to quicken near finish, 3rd of 6, nk behind Idle Power (9-3) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Rising Shadow (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at York 6f hcap (2) sft in Oct beating Knot In Wood (8-4) by a nk, 18 ran.
Zowington 25-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, led 2f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, rallied close home, 3rd of 12, hd behind Stanley Goodspeed (8-1) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sept.
Forces Sweetheart 9-2 (8-12) Held up, headway and not clear run over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Linda Green (8-8) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Violette 9-2 (8-6) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 3l behind Mostashaar (8-11) at Lingfield 7f stk (3) pol in Oct.
Quito (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Pulled hard held up, effort when short of room over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 9l behind Blue Ksar (8-10) at Newmarket 1m lst stk (1) sft in Oct.
