raced keenly, always prominent, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, headway well over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
wide entering straight, always in rear
prominent, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, headway when switched right over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
switched left soon after start, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway on inside 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, soon steadied into mid-division, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
led early, chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden out
slowly into stride, held up, not clear run entering straight, switched right and progress over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
From seller to claimer we climb up the lowly ladder of evening all-weather racing and narrow preference here is for Tobago Reef ahead of Councellor and Mineral Star. In truth, this looks a decent claimer with several dropping in grade. The selection is just one of a plethora of course and distance winners in the lineup but he looks to be fairly well treated by how the weights are framed. His two wins have come over this trip here and he should go well. Mineral Star ran ok for a long way at Redcar last time out and he should be suited by this drop in trip, whilst Local Poet, yet another course and distance winner has claims from the plum draw. Middleton Grey has plenty of experience and dropped in grade he should run well, whilst the market will help guide to the chances of Councellor who is dropped in grade and would benefit from a strong pace. At a price the duo of Copper King and Terry Molloy could run big races, however it is Tobago Reef who receives the nomination.
Councellor (FR) 12-1 (8-10) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Fondled (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m hcap (4) gd in Sept.
Copper King 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Desert Island Miss (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Frankalbert (IRE) (8-7) 5th of 7, more than 5l behind Top Experience (8-9) at Livorno 7f Cond Stakes gd in Aug.
Coup d'Etat 11-4 (9-7) Behind, headway 2f out, every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Halfwaytoparadise (8-8) at Brighton 7f clm (6) gs.
Mineral Star (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Dwelt, held up, headway to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 14, 8l behind Boundless Prospect (9-1) at Redcar 1m clm (4) gs in Sept.
Ninth House (USA) 7-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no headway, 7th of 9, 8l behind Russki (9-2) at Kempton 1m clm (6) pol in Sept.
Local Poet 9-1 (9-7) Keen, mid-division, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 6l behind Megalo Maniac (9-4) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol in Sept.
Middleton Grey 12-1 (9-7) Very slowly away, raced towards stand side in rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 6l behind Torquemada (9-4) at Leicester 7f hcap (5) gf in Sept.
Samuel Charles 9-2 (9-4) With leader, led over 3f out, driven and headed inside final 2f, no impression and lost 2nd final 100yds, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Desert Island Miss (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Teasing 33-1 (8-4) Went left start, held up, under pressure halfway, soon beaten, last of 10, 23l behind Ragheed (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Tobago Reef 12-1 (8-7) Soon pressed leader, ridden, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 15l behind Arch of Titus (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Terry Molloy (IRE) 17-2 (10-2) Led, ridden along over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Bolton Hall (10-11) at Beverley 1m amt hcp (6) gd in Aug.