mid-division, ridden, headway over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong
prominent, ridden, every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong
took keen hold, always towards rear
mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon not much room, weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, effort when not much room over 2f out, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
mid-division, lost place over 5f out, no danger after
Middlemarch is chanced against likely market principals Ribh and Indian Edge. The selection has proved difficult to win with but there was evidence that he retains some measure of ability on his most recent turf start and it is noted that this stable attempted a gamble on Saturday night so there could be plenty chasing losses. Ribh has proved a little frustrating to follow and is watched in the market for clues. Beaten by the draw on that occasion, there is a chance that the extra furlong may suit. Indian Edge has been competing on soft ground on turf and is a previous course winner. Those all-weather victories came in much lesser grade than this so more is required on this occasion. Master Mahogany is a fair dual-purpose performer on his day but winning does not come easy. Unproven on the surface, he has it to do. Colton ran a cracker on his most recent start at Redcar. Six pounds out of the handicap and starting slowly, this serves to put it all into perspective. Merrymadcapman landed a treble over course-and-distance in February and would not be out of this on some of his better form. Waslat is well treated in relation to some of his earlier form though winning is not something that comes easily to him. Middlemarch will be a price and we cite him as the percentage call.
Merrymadcap (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, effort and headway over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 11, 7l behind Country Escape (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Master Mahogany 33-1 (8-11) Broke well and stumbled, in rear, headway over 2f out to chase leaders, one pace, 4th of 14, 2l behind Kingsholm (8-13) at Bath 1m hcap (4) gd.
Parisette 100-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 15l behind Wagtail (8-3) at Ascot 1m lst fll hcp (1) gs in Sept.
Middlemarch (IRE) 10-1 (8-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Nanton (8-11) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd in Sept.
Hurricane Coast 14-1 (9-3) Always in rear, last of 10, 13l behind Desert Dreamer (10-0) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) frm in Jul.
Ribh 5-2 (8-12) Behind, headway 2f out, switched right just inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Reeling N' Rocking (8-12) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol.
Pommes Frites 14-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 13, 41l behind Compromiznotension (8-6) at Pontefract 1m 3yo clm (4) gs.
Colton 25-1 (7-12) Dwelt, mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, 4th of 15, 2l behind Nanton (8-11) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd in Sept.
Indian Edge 14-1 (8-11) With leader, led over 3f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 14, 8l behind Mezuzah (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-80 (4) hvy.
Wasalat (USA) 5-1 (9-7) Behind, switched left 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, not reached leaders, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Bavarica (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol.
Dante's Diamond (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 17, 32l behind Dium Mac (9-6) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
