mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
towards rear, slightly hampered and not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, hung left final furlong and kept on
held up, ridden and effort on inside over 1f out, one pace
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
towards rear, stayed on and edged left over 1f out, not reach leaders
hampered soon after start, in touch, ridden approaching 2f out, held when hampered approaching 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, chased winner from over 2f out, kept on, always held
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway on inside to chase leaders over 1f out, no extra
soon tracking leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Ian Semple has a good strike-rate at Wolverhampton and can pick up again with Alfonso, who edges preference over Climate and Marmooq. It would also be dangerous to rule out a bold bid from Prince Dayjur now that he has a seasonal run behind him. Any market confidence may prove significant. Marmooq drops into this grade for the first time and, as he represents a shrewd training operation; he should be monitored closely in the betting. This is a touch easier than some of the tasks he has faced of late and he can go close if he adapts to racing on an artificial surface. Climate is another downgraded but holds solid claims on the best of his form. However, he has not stood much racing of late and, as he has obviously had his problems, he is not one to trust implicitly. Therefore, we prefer to side with Alfonso, who all the ticks in the right boxes. Semple's charge is a previous course and distance winner and gets on well with today's jockey. The gelding is also in good heart at present and, as he has fewer questions to answer than most of the rest, Alfonso just gets the nod.
Franksalot (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Snow Bunting (8-11) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Climate (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 7l behind Barons Spy (8-6) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug.
Pitbull 5-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, behind, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 12l behind Just Lille (9-4) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Mister Elegant 15-2 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 14th of 16, 12l behind Red Rudy (9-10) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Alfonso 4-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Burnley Al (9-4) at Hamilton 1m 1f clm (6) gd in Aug.
Dancing Deano (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Close up, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 15, 10l behind Petite Mac (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug.
Fulvio (USA) 8-1 (10-9) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sol Rojo (11-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Marmooq 12-1 (8-13) Led centre and overall leader, headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Gold Express (8-5) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.