towards rear and held up, ridden over 2f out, headway when not clear run, switched right approaching final furlong, no further impression
always towards rear
bumped start, always towards rear
in touch, ridden approaching 3f out, soon chasing leaders, edged left approaching final furlong, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong kept on
mid-division, bumped over 3f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led, headed 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened and eased
bumped start, soon tracking leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
prominent, led 3f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
slowly into stride, effort 2f out, stayed on
This is a competitive handicap and the leading lights look to be Pure Imagination, Kildare Sun and Writ and the vote is given to Pure Imagination. The selection returned to form last time at Nottingham when getting the better of Dispol Isle. Barry Savage takes a handy 7lbs off his back and he looks capable of opening his account on the all-weather. Kildare Sun is a lightly-raced 4-year-old and he won well here last time when beating Sanctity. He is dropped in trip today which will not be a problem but the race he won last time was not all that competitive and he will need to improve again to make his mark. Writ is a course and distance winner and he is interesting as he clearly goes really well on this surface. He won here last time when beating Primo Gold and if he is allowed an easy lead he will be difficult to peg back. Million Percent has been disappointing of late but he hinted at a return to form last time and on the back of that effort he is worth consideration. However, we are happy to stick with Pure Imagination who gets our vote to lead them home.
Pure Imagination (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, ran on, won at Nottingham 1m app hcp (5) sft beating Dispol Isle (8-11) by 2l, 16 ran.
Bijou Dan 16-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 2f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Luis Melendez (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept.
Kildare Sun (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Sanctity (9-0) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Writ (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Made all, ridden clear 2f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Primo Gold (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Esthlos (FR) 14-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway, not clear run 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Cantabilly (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Million Percent 9-1 (8-9) Chased leading pair, pressed winner from 2f out, soon every chance, ran on final furlong, just held, 2nd of 10, shd behind Molem (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcap (6) pol.
New England 11-2 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 4l behind Floodlight Fantasy (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Moves Goodenough 11-1 (9-3) Towards rear, steady headway 6f out, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, faded final furlong, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Lunar River (8-12) at Bath 1m 2f mdn aut stk (6) gd.