mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 4th inside final furlong
went right start, led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
hampered and squeezed out start, ridden and headway over 1f out, keeping on when short of room and hampered inside final furlong, not recover
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders until halfway
dwelt in rear, never nearer
went left start, tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, driven and stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish and lost 2nd post
mid-division, ridden and hung left over 1f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, always in rear
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, running on when not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, snatched up and not recover
FEMME DE FER gets the vote in this handicap; the list of dangers is headed by Figaro Flyer and Quasi Congaree. Clive Cox won this race last year and he is taken to land this prize again with Femme De Fer. The selection has only had the three runs but she has shaped with promise and she could have got in lightly for her handicap debut. She has a good draw for one that likes to race prominently and a bold bid is expected. Figaro Flyer is more exposed than our choice but he is in good form and he finished a close second behind Guto at Southwell last time. He has won over the course and distance and he has a good draw so he does make plenty of appeal. Quasi Congaree was a little disappointing on his handicap debut at Kempton but he faded over 6f that day so this drop in trip may see him in a more positive light. Kyle would have claims on his best form but the draw has to be a negative for him today. The draw could also have been kinder to Silver Prelude but his trainer Stuart Williams is very shrewd so any market support should be noted. There are plenty in with chances but the vote goes to the unexposed Femme De Fer.
Figaro Flyer (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, edged right, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Guto (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Aug.
Island Legend (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Pulled hard, led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 34l behind Bahamian Lad (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Liberty Island (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Prominent, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Grigorovitch (10-0) at Dundalk 6f hcp 50-70 pol in Aug.
First Order 20-1 (9-2) Pulled hard, tracked leaders on outside, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 5l behind Mandarin Spirit (8-12) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sep.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 3l behind Select Committee (8-11) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Held up and keen, weakened entering final furlong, 12th of 13, 10l behind Billy Red (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sep.
Quasi Congaree (GER) 5-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Fantasy Gladiator (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Divine Spirit 25-1 (9-5) Held up far side group, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 8th of 24, 3l behind Medici Time (9-5) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep.
Femme De Fer 4-5fav (8-12) Prominent, led over 4f out and went strong gallop, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Poppanan (9-3) at Bath 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Sep.
Silver Prelude 9-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Ocean Blaze (9-8) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Lithaam (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Pulled hard and prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 8l behind Even Bolder (9-0) at Goodwood 5f all hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Kyle (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden halfway, headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 6l behind Triple Dream (9-5) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Grudge 14-1 (9-1) Pushed along to chase leaders stands side group, weakened over 1f out, 22nd of 24, 10l behind Medici Time (9-5) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep.
