slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, driven along on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly
led, headed inside final 3f, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to take 3rd inside final furlong, no impression
prominent, ridden to chase leading pair from 3f out, no impression, lost 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leader, led inside final 3f, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in touch, ridden, outpaced over 2f out, headway to chase winner final furlong, no impression
held up last, weakened, no chance final 2f
The vote here goes to Alpine Reel ahead of Sound That Alarm, Dance To The Top and Distant Country Expensive purchase Alpine Reel defied an absence to win at Thirsk last time on his racecourse debut and, from a mark of just 70, has every right to go well here, with his stable looking like it is going to run into form. Dance On The Top ran a solid race in a similar contest over course and distance last time and should be competitive for a place again. Distant Country has a bit to find based on that form, although he seemed to run below par on that occasion, but Another Faux Pas comes into this race in form, so has place claims, and Sound That Alarm has often threatened to be better than a 70 rate horse but, following a win, he then disappointed in a handicap. However, the longer trip might suit him tonight, so he can go well. However, for the winner, we will stick with Alpine Reel.
Alpine Reel (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Held up, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Thirsk 7f mdn stk (5) gd in May beating Guadaloup (8-6) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Balearic Star (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden, stayed on same pace final 2f, 5th of 14, 5l behind Habanero (10-2) at Windsor 1m hcp (5) gf.
Certain Justice (USA) 15-2 (10-0) Held up in touch, weakened 2f out, 9th of 13, 9l behind Calculaite (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol.
Dance On The Top 5-1 (9-1) In touch, headway 4f out, ridden to chase over 3f out, every chance approaching final furlong, held when carried left soon after, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Jools (9-4) at Windsor 1m stk 0-70 (5) gf.
Distant Country (USA) 11-4fav (9-4) Held up in rear, effort on outside over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 10l behind Jools (9-4) at Windsor 1m stk 0-70 (5) gf.
Another Faux Pas (IRE) 3-1 (10-0) Held up, switched right over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Della Salute (8-12) at Brighton 1m fll hcp (5) frm.
Sound That Alarm 7-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind Storm Chase (8-9) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf.