led after 1f, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, not quicken towards finish
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
keen, in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong
prominent 4f
always towards rear
led 1f, stayed prominent, ridden and edged left over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd close home
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
always behind
slowly into stride always behind
Count Cougar won well over course and distance last time and can follow up this afternoon, Sweetest Revenge and Boisdale look the be the main rivals. The selection has in fact been in great form all season and just had to be pushed out hands and heals to beat Clearing sky by a length and a half. It should take more than a seven pound penalty to stop him winning again. Sweetest Revenge ran a great race to finish third in an apprentice handicap at Goodwood last time. She has good form here as well and should be in there fighting at the death. Meanwhile Boisdale has to come into the reckoning after finishing a creditable runner up behind Piccleyes over course and distance last time. Favouring is steadily improving and looks the pick of the others, but Count Cougar is hard to ignore in this mood and gets the vote.
Count Cougar (USA) 13-2 (9-8) Led 1f, led again over 3f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol beating Clearing Sky (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sweetest Revenge (IRE) 12-1 (8-1) Led to over 2f out, chased winner to over 1f out, edged right and kept on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Effective (9-5) at Goodwood 6f app hcp (5) gd.
Piccleyes 33-1 (9-3) Held up rear, headway on inside 2f out, ridden to lead close home, won at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol beating Boisdale (9-0) by a nk, 13 ran.
Brown Dragon 16-1 (8-2) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 10, 5l behind Zorn (8-4) at Southwell 6f hcp (E3) fbs in Feb.
Val de Maal (IRE) 4-1fav (9-5) Keen, in touch, not much room over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 13, 6l behind Count Cougar (9-8) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol.
Boisdale (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) In touch, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, nk behind Piccleyes (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol.
Favouring (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Soon outpaced, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Rancho Cucamonga (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 3yo clm (6) pol.
Smirfys Night 13-2 (9-4) Raced stands' side, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 17, 5l behind Coranglais (9-11) at Nottingham 6f hcp (6) gf.