led to approaching 3f out, weakened quickly
slowly into stride, ridden in rear 4f out, always struggling
chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden, lost place halfway, soon in rear, eased when no chance final furlong
slowly away, behind, never in contention
took keen hold in mid-division, plugged on one pace final 2f
behind, driven, struggling 4f out
held up in rear, headway on wide outside when slightly hampered over 3f out, driven on outside over 2f out, no response
held up, headway, switched right to rails over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression
chased leader until approaching 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, stayed on same pace, final furlong
always in rear
chased leaders, led approaching 3f out, ridden final furlong, kept on well
This isn't a race to get too excited about, but there has to be a winner, and top of our shortlist is Hester Brook, ahead of Doctor Dream and Soldier's Quest The selection needs to overcome a bout of seconditis; runner up in her last four outings, she's a regular in the frame but yet to be first past the post. She's one of three John O'Shea runners in the race, Jim Crowley's aboard this one, the others being Doctor Dream and Stafford Will. Doctor Dream's been hurdling recently, and showing some promise too, but also has bits and pieces of flat form, including a third in a similar contest here last year. Soldier's Quest most recent effort was a third on the all weather last month and has shown signs that he's got some ability, but in a race that won't take a great deal of winning, we'll go with Hester Brook.
Art of Being (IRE) 200-1 (9-6) Led, headed 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 14, 36l behind Touchdown (8-10) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gd in May.
Bold Josr 50-1 (10-9) Chased winner until 5f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 10, 35l behind Dandygrey Russett (10-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f amt stk (6) pol in Jun.
Converti 25-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 12, 10l behind Opera Writer (9-1) at Warwick 1m 5f app hcp (6) gf.
Dr Dream (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Whaxaar (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Jan.
Leprechaun's Gold (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Mid-division, headway on inside when not clear run 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Elite Land (9-2) at Ripon 1m 4f sll hcp (6) sft in Jun.
Soldiers Quest 10-1 (9-8) Took keen hold, settled 3rd, ridden, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Bridgewater Boys (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) frm in Jun.
Stafford Will (IRE) 66-1 (7-12) Towards rear, effort 4f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 20l behind Red Current (8-11) at Chepstow 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Sept.
Sweet World 4-1 (9-6) Took keen hold mid-division, effort and ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 10l behind Colorado Springs (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) gf.
Hester Brook (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Soon led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, soon one pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Infinity Bond (9-3) at Musselburgh 7f mdn aut stk (6) gs.
Howe's Jack (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Steadied start, keen, held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 15l behind Maddy (7-12) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo clm (5) gf.
Royal Soverin 10-1 (8-12) In touch, effort over 2f out, soon one pace, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Casual Garcia (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo sll (6) pol in Jun.
Fortunes Maid (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, some late headway never nearer, 5th of 11, 5l behind Landikhaya (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gf in Jun.
Lady Jinks 10-1 (8-1) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Rampant Ronnie (8-13) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo sll (6) gf.
