towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders, kept on
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, hard ridden to lead close home
mid-division, lost place over 4f out, hampered over 3f out
tracked leaders, edged left over 3f out, every chance and shaken up over 1f out, not quicken
steadied start, held up, some late progress
held up, in rear when hampered over 3f out
in touch, ridden 3f out, led over 1f out, fading when headed close home
held up in touch, hampered and brought down over 3f out
mid-division, joined leaders 5f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, led 4f out, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out and weakened
led, ridden when headed 4f out, weakened quickly
held up, driven 7f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
SOLDIERS QUEST, Cumbrian Knight and Synonomy are the three for the shortlist in this handicap and narrow preference is for the first-named. The selection was only narrowly beaten at Windsor last time, his best effort for a while, and he looks worth a try over this longer trip. He has shaped as though it will suit and if he sees it out then he could be the one to beat. Cumbrian Knight returns to the level after a spell over hurdles, but the yard are in good form and he loves it round here so he looks to have a leading chance with Paul Hanagan booked for the ride. Synonymy has been a little disappointing of late but he definitely sees out this distance and if he can recapture some of his sparkle then he could go close. Borrowdale had the run of the race at Great Leighs last time but he failed to capitalise on it and he is hard to recommend with confidence. Soldiers Quest should improve for this longer trip and he is the tentative choice.
Squirtle (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 16, 11l behind Kokkokila (9-0) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Compton Court 8-1 (8-8) Mid-division, no impression from 4f out, 7th of 15, 7l behind Dancera (9-2) at Downpatrick 1m 4f app hcp 0-75 gd in Sept.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-2) Started very slowly, towards rear, headway 5f out, chased winner 3f out, lost 2nd inside final 2f, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Blue Hills (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Borrowdale 9-2fav (9-9) Led, clear after 4f, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 18l behind Miss Serena (9-2) at Great Leighs 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Peas 'n Beans (IRE) 100-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 9l behind Drum Major (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 5f mdn stk (5) pol.
Restart (IRE) 17-2 (9-4) Prominent, led after 3f, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon beaten, 10th of 14, 34l behind Capal Dubh Alainn (9-4) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Adage 10-1 (8-10) Started slowly, towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on past beaten rivals, never nearer, 6th of 12, 11l behind Coda Agency (9-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Soldiers Quest 16-1 (9-5) Started slowly, towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on to chase winner 1f out, gaining towards finish, just held, 2nd of 16, nk behind A One (8-12) at Windsor 1m 4f sll (6) gs in Aug.
Leonardo's Friend 33-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 13, 27l behind Veloso (9-2) at Great Leighs 1m 5f sll (6) pol.
Synonymy 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 8l behind Right Option (9-11) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept.
Mean Machine (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Held up, effort over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 13, 20l behind Wind Star (9-8) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (5) sft in Sept.
Pairumani Pat (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) In rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed onto go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Eventide (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f 3yo app hcp (6) pol.
Ronsard (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Held up, headway 7f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 17, 22l behind Hawridge Star (10-10) at Haydock 1m 6f amt hcp 0-80 (5) hvy in Sept.
