raced keenly in touch, pressed leader over 2f out, every chance to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra
in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place weakened quickly 2f out
held up in rear, headway from 2f out, ran on to lead briefly inside final furlong, soon headed, no extra near finish
led after 2f, ridden, headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
led 2f, tracked leader afterwards to over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened from 2f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, staying on when short of room, checked inside final furlong, eased afterwards
Dear Maurice, Silver Blue and Closertobelieving are the three to look at here with Silver Blue taken to make the most of the weight concession from Dear Maurice. Closertobelieving takes a step up in grade after a smooth Windsor success last time. He was confidently expected to win that weak affair, and he clearly appreciated the step up in trip. He should not be under-estimated but needs to improve again. The handicapper has been proved to be lenient in his assessment of Dear Maurice as Ed Dunlop's charge has won twice in handicap grade. However, the handicapper has had his revenge, raising the top weight seven pounds following a workmanlike success last time and that may prove his undoing and the step up in trip also takes him into uncharted territory. Silver Blue has gone up 6lbs in the ratings for finishing third last time, but he didn¿t have the clearest of runs that day and has won his last two contests over this trip. Silver Blue can return to winning form.
Dear Maurice 8-11fav (9-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, won at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun beating Willow Dancer (9-3) by 2l, 14 ran.
Samsons Son 15-8 (9-2) Led 1f, tracked leading pair, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) frm in Sept beating Mutadarrej (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sam Lord 10-1 (9-6) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2l behind Calabash Cove (9-7) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun '07.
Royal Island (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Keen in rear, effort on outer 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Chjimes (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Folio (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 7l behind Hawaass (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Artreju (GER) 11-2 (9-2) Towards rear, headway 4f out, slightly hampered 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Prime Number (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f app hcp (4) pol in Jun.
No To Trident 66-1 (9-0) Mid-division, effort to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 6l behind Swinging Sixties (9-4) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Silver Blue (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Held up, not clear run from 2f out, ran on when in clear final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Paraguay (9-3) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Closertobelieving 7-2jt-fav (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Latin Scholar (9-2) by 2l, 15 ran.
