slowly into stride, raced keenly, held up in rear, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
in rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off
slowly into stride, headway to lead over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not troubled winner
always prominent, chased leader 3f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on
in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
led, headed over 6f out, chased leader until ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, weakening when edged left over 1f out
Nonrunner
FLASHY MAX is given the vote in this handicap with Welsh Opera and Ardent Prince the others to consider. The selection was in good form over the summer on the turf, but he disappointed here last time out. However, that was his first run since mid-July so we are prepared to forgive him that below-par effort and we will put him forward to resume winning ways. Welsh Opera disappointed last time at Great Leighs but she had previously dead-heated with Suzi Spends at Great Leighs and her trainer Hugh Collingridge thinks a lot of his filly. Ardent Prince has been running in some pretty hot races of late and this slight drop in trip should suit him. Kirstys Lad is the only course and distance winner in the field but the draw will make life tough for him, and we will stick with Flashy Max as the pick.
Plush 33-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, shaken up over 1f out, never on terms, 10th of 14, 15l behind Harare (9-7) at Chester 1m app hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Silent Storm 16-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, 8th of 10, 9l behind Winthorpe (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
The Geester 10-1 (9-5) Slowly away, pulled hard and soon tracking leaders, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 36l behind Josr's Magic (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Sept.
Ardent Prince 14-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, headed 4f out, weakening when hampered 2f out and soon eased, tailed off, last of 10, 41l behind Stand Guard (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f stk 0-55 (6) pol.
Kirstys Lad 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway on outer 3f out, hung right when weakening final 2f, 8th of 13, 17l behind Kingsholm (11-1) at Beverley 1m 2f amt hcp (6) sft in Sept.
Dushstorm (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 13th of 16, well behind Prince Rhyddarch (10-3) at Newcastle 1m 4f amt hcp (6) hvy.
Welsh Opera 4-1fav (8-12) Short of room soon after start, soon mid-division, ridden and some headway over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 16, 6l behind Bramalea (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 3yo hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Grand Value (USA) 16-1 (8-7) Led, driven and headed over 3f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off, last of 12, 29l behind Miss Pelling (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Alberts Story (USA) 25-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 14l behind Holiday Cocktail (9-13) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcap (5) gf in Jul.
Flashy Max 4-1co-fav (8-9) Led early, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 13l behind Star Choice (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Sazerac (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Billberry (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Bailieborough (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, 16l behind Grandad Bill (8-7) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Maddy 9-4fav (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 4f out, soon well behind, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Ruby Delta (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Sept.