held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra towards finish
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always behind
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 2f out, not troubled leaders
made all, driven out
chased winner, kept on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, stayed on over 1f out
Makshoof is sure to be popular with punters here but we prefer the claims of RED CAPE who is nominated ahead of Blue Charm. The selection looked in need of the run at Southwell last time out on his first outing since July. He travelled well but blew-up, and with that run under his belt and this extra furlong in his favour he looks to have rock solid claims. Makshoof is the obvious danger but all his wins have come over 6f and his high draw is another negative. Blue Charm has been running consistently well, but this is his ninth race in a relatively short space of time and he may need a breather before he is seen at his best. Obe Royal is usually competitive at this level but he finished behind our selection last time and we will stick with Red Cape as the one to beat.
Red Cape (FR) 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 11l behind Came Back (8-10) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
Makshoof (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Slowly into stride in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, never nearer, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Electric Warrior (9-4) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Mean Machine (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Led, ridden when headed 4f out, weakened quickly, 11th of 12, well behind Compton Court (9-13) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Obe Royal 12-1 (8-10) Never troubled leaders, 5th of 7, 12l behind Came Back (8-10) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
Blue Charm 11-4 (9-1) Held up behind mid-division, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Alqaahir (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) std.
Bungie 7-1 (9-2) Raced far side, dwelt, headway to chase leaders halfway, no impression, 11th of 17, 14l behind Jaconet (8-9) at Ripon 6f app sll (6) gf in Jun.
Smirfys Systems 11-2 (8-11) Always prominent, went 2nd halfway, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, edged right close home, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Decider (8-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Mystic Roll 25-1 (8-3) Mid-division, lost place over 3f out, no impression after, 7th of 11, 9l behind Direct Debit (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Another Genepi (USA) 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 13, 6l behind Captain Macarry (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Straight Face (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Pulled hard, close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 6l behind Upstairs (8-13) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) std.