prominent, ridden and headway to lead briefly over 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong
slowly into stride and held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and kept on final furlong
led, soon headed, in touch until led again over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, soon tailed off, virtually pulled up
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon one pace
held up rear, headway on outside 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong but no impression on winner
held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on to be nearest at finish
prominent, led 5f out until ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong
The shortlist includes Baytown Flyer, Scary Night, Chorus, Strike Lucky and Breezit, but the vote goes to Sounds Lucky. Baytown Flyer has had a very good year but has paid as a consequence with the handicapper, although she is still fully entitled to go well. Long Weekend has also won twice this year and the best of his Turf form entitles him to respect. Scary Night looks reasonably weighted, certainly at best, and often goes well, while Sounds Lucky will find this easier than a number of races he contested at Lingfield back in the spring, and he too finds his way onto the shortlist. The best of Chorus's summer form gives him a chance, and Strike Lucky, who is lightly raced, will be more at home back at this level than last time and has win here, albeit on the former surface. Rehia looks certain to be in the mix, and Tappit seemed to be coming to hand at Bath last time. Finally, Breezit's chance is not a forlorn one dropped in trip but, for the winner, in a tricky race - but I guess that that is the point - we return to Sounds Lucky.