took keen hold, held up, ridden over 3f out, no response
held up towards rear, headway 5f out, hampered and not clear run well over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, edged left well over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, rallied to lead entering final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, staying on same pace when not clear run inside final furlong
held up, headway on outside over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
slowly away, pulled hard, held up and behind, lost touch over 3f out
with leader, led 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, one pace
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, lost place 5f out, no danger after
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, always in rear, lost touch over 3f out, tailed off
A typically trappy handicap in which the tentative vote goes to Scamperdale ahead of Weet Yer Tern and Pop Music. The last-named beat a few of these rivals on his penultimate start however he struggled last-time out off this revised mark and the same could occur today, although he could gain some place money. Weet Yer Tern takes a slight step up from banded class today, and whilst he is consistent, there appears to be no apparent reason why he should win today. Tamatave steps up in trip today and should appreciate the longer trip after a staying on second to runaway winner Mozakhraf earlier in the month so rates a danger, as does course and distance winner Scottish River if reproducing his best form. However, for the winner we return to Scamperdale, who although drawn out wide, has the consistency required at this level to win today. His second to Harare in August has since been franked by the winner going in again, and if fully refreshed after that break he has the profile to go well, especially as he is just four and open to further improvement. In a trappy race, Scamperdale gets our vote.
Tamatave (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Keen, chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, not much room towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Mozakhraf (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs.
Pop Music (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon hung right, no extra, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Just Bond (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Burnley Al (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, no further impression, 6th of 12, 9l behind Topiary Ted (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Scamperdale 7-1 (9-8) Held up, pulled hard, headway over 3f out, ridden, hung left over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Harare (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Scottish River (USA) 10-1 (8-2) Steadied start, held up, ridden 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 7l behind Peruvian Prince (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Cabourg (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 25l behind Kingsmaite (8-8) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Weet Yer Tern (IRE) 2-1 (9-1) Keen, chased leader until over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and stayed on again final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Saucy (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol.
Star Of Russia (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 13, 12l behind Dichoh (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
