prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, soon headed, not quicken near finish
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakening when slightly hampered well over 1f out
mid-division, struggling 3f out
took keen hold, prominent, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out
led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up and behind, pushed along and headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead post
held up and behind, headway on inside over 2f out, switched leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged right and headed post
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, no chance with leaders
held up towards rear, switched right to outside 5f out, no impression
chased leader, every chance 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
The short-listed three here are Zalkani, Birthday Star and Our Choice, with the selection being Zalkani. Zalkani comes here on a roll, having won four of his last six races. Much as those efforts have come in claiming company, he looks reasonably treated for a venture into handicap company and can go well. Birthday Star is now just two pounds above his course and distance winning mark from last year, so cannot be ruled out on that basis, while Abstract Folly would not have to improve markedly over a trip he has not tried too often, to play a part in this race. Explosive Fox is edging back towards his course and distance winning mark of April, although his flat runs since have been disappointing. Malibu has been disappointing of late, I'll Do It Today needs a career-best effort, and Turn Of Phrase possibly still has something to prove on today's surface, although he comes here in good heart. Finally, Our Choice would certainly hold claims if getting back to his course winning form of November 2005 but, for the selection, we will stick with Zalkani.
Turn Of Phrase (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) sft beating Jordans Spark (9-6) by 3l, 10 ran.
I'll Do It Today 11-2 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden over 4f out and soon weakened, last of 7, 25l behind Onyergo (8-8) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Explosive Fox (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Prominent on outer, lost touch over 4f out, soon weakened and eased 3f out, virtually pulled up over 2f out, last of 13, well behind Great View (11-2) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Optimum (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 9, 37l behind Mister Arjay (9-10) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Abstract Folly (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, hampered 3f out, ran on, not reached leaders, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Granary Girl (8-7) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Birthday Star (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway on inside 2f out, stayed on under pressure to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Swords (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Zalkani (IRE) Evensfav (10-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Finished Article (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Jul.
Our Choice (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out, last of 10, 20l behind Montosari (10-3) at Carlisle 1m 6f amt hcp (6) gf in Aug.
